Phillips came about as a result of the railroad passing through the county. It was laid out by Lincoln Townsite Co. Named after one of the Burlington Railroad Company’s leading officials on the Lincoln division.

 

Meyers and Sons drug store was the first business house.

 

J. J. Miller on the north side of town, as it stands at present.

 

Burke & Dingman hardware store, spring of 1884.

 

The first residents, transient carpenters, whose names are unknown to any of the present residents of this section. A number of early houses were constructed by Reiter and Dristy. Mr. Reiter is still a resident of the village. At the time he did the work he resided on a farm one half mile northwest of the village limits.

 

The M. K. Grass early place of business is now occupied by general merchandise stock of goods owned and operated by W. R. Wadkins. Fairchilds Bros. building lost in fire some 10 years ago has never been replaced. Emerson Bros. building sold and moved to country. Garage building on its site built by Geo. E. Horn in 1917, sold to Fast and Stinette in August, 1920. This building was originally constructed to accommodate the Ford agency in the town, and is still used for that purpose.

 

The first lumber yard was started by Ed. Moore. The first was S. W. Little and Son, and the second was Ed. Moore.

 

A blacksmith shop was first started by a party whose name cannot be recalled by any of the present residents of this section. However it was owned and operated by the following named parties in later years: (I would not vouch for the order of succession) George Peterman, J. Monroe, Ben Web, Louis Canada, Wm. Hilpert, Lemuel Hulbert, Wm. Casteel, J. Baar, and the present owners are Rasmussen and Jensen.

 

First hotel was started by party whose name cannot be recalled by any of the present residents of the town. It was swept away by the great storm of the summer of 1884 and the owner never rebuilt. It was located on the present site of the M. E. church in the village.

 

Banks

 

The first Bank—the Bank of Phillips—was chartered in 1885 under the ownership and management of Baker and Wenn. It later became the property of Baker and Burk. William Glover, I believe, was the next owner, with Harry Peard as Cashier. It then became the property of W. I. Farley of Aurora, he being succeeded by a number of farmers who became stockholders. Carl Carlson was the Cashier and also a stockholder. When Mr. Carlson retired he was succeeded by E. C. Huxtable as Cashier. Mr. Huxtable is still on the job.

 

First residents of village now living in the town are R. E. Dingman and wife; Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Peterson.

 

R. E. Dingman broke the cornstalks in the field that became the town site. He also owned and operated the first dray line, hauling most of the lumber from Grand Island and Aurora, which went into the first houses. There was considerable building done before the railroad was completed.

 

The town was incorporated in the year 1886. It became necessary to include a tract of land lying northwest of the village where Mr. Henderson was operating a brick yard in order to complete the required number of names to permit an incorporation.

 

The first town officer was N. F. Lane, Mayor. Mr. Lane was very public spirited, and his interest in the village brought about quite a lot of improvements in different ways.

 

The present board and officers are W. T. Dearing, Mayor, Alfred Rasmusson, Gus Kutchkan, George W. Fast, and E. C. Arnett.

 

Phillips has one of the finest consolidated School buildings in the state.

 

The first school here was started in 1886 by the organization of district No. 95.

 

The first hotel to become a regular business which remained for a definite period of time was built and operated by N. F. Lane.

 

The first implement business was started by J. Van Boskirk.

 

The first and only furniture store was owned and operated by William Eckerson. The building was destroyed by the fire which swept the entire east side of Main street some ten years ago.

 

The first millinery store was started by Miss Belle McCutcheon, the daughter of R. E. McCutcheon, an old soldier, who spent quite a period of time in one of the southern prisons during the Civil war; a man who was very highly regarded in this section of the country. He was really the father of the Decoration Day exercises in this section of the country, a custom which has grown in interest, and become the most splendid occasion that is celebrated in this section of the country. Miss McCutcheon married William Willman some few years after she started her millinery business, and has since resided on a farm six miles southwest of Phillips. She is the mother of three children, two daughters and on son. They are a very highly respected family and prominent in all matters appertaining to the betterment of society.

 

The first Livery barn was started by N. F. Lane. It was burned through an accidental fire some years later.

 

The first garage was started by Chas. Bondegard. The business continued for a few years. Next garage was started by Kutchkan & Detamore. The next by Geo. E. Horn, being succeeded by Fast and Stinnette.

 

Hamilton County Telephone Company brought the first telephone service, it being established in 1901.

 

Electric Light and Power service came with the extension of the lines of the Central Power Co. of Grand Island, service being installed in 1919.

 

Lodges

 

Masonic—The order that is maintained at Phillips, lodge No. 62, was given its charter June 20, 1876. The members of the order met for a number of years at a Lodge Hall in St. Joe, a little inland town that was located three miles south of Phillips. When the railroad came to the village of St. Joe, was abandoned and the lodge was taken to Phillips; the information I have placed the date as 1884. The present Master is Earl Arnold. The first Master was _____ Ennis.

 

Eastern Star—This society was given its charter on May 18^th, 1889. The lodge has had considerable growth. Its present worthy Matron is Mrs. William Thompson.

 

Modern Woodmen of America—Was given its charter on May 18, 1889. It at one time was one of the strongest organizations in towns the size of Phillips in the state. The increase in rates caused many members to drop out of the order. Its present head is Millard Hunt.

 

Royal Neighbors—Were given their charter on Oct. 26, 1906. Has had quite a healthy growth in recent years. Its present head is Mrs. A. S. Gilbert.

 

Royal Highlanders—Were given their charter in December, 1896. The lodge had a healthy growth for a period of years and is still running with a good sized membership.

 

Degree of Honor—Chartered the 25^th day of February, 1896. The lodge flourished for a number of years. The raise in the rates of the society seemed to have an effect that caused a decline in interest. The order is still maintained, but the membership has fallen quite low. Valley P. Thomas is Chief of Honor.

 

In 1920 the business interests at Phillips were Arnett Bros., hardware; Farmers Elevator; Farmers Lumber Co.; George Horn, garage; Gus Huld, drug store; Jensen & Rasmussen, blacksmith shop; Kutschkan & Detamore, garage; Dr. H. W. Parchen, office; Fred Schwartz, store; D. Sorenson, meat market; W. R. Wadkins, store.