Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-11-11

We noticed briefly in Yesterdays Empire th'
death Of thisvenerable and much esteemed cii-
izen. He was born in the State Of New Jersey
December 2lst, 1853, and was tho son Of capt
Jonathan Phillips, an officer in the Regular
Army Of the Revolution. Captain Phillip,
served under General Horatio Gates in the bril
liant campaign which Terminated by the sufren
der az General Burgoyne at Saratoga, October
18th, l777 and being a warm friend and al.
rnirer Of that distinguished commander named
for him the snbiec, Of this sketch.
Mr.. Phillips alta very early period Of his life
conceived the idea Of laying foundations Of HIS
future home aud fortune IN the then compafa.
lively unexplored West. In the year 1904. he
left New Jersey with young friend to make
tour west Of the Aileghanies, and south a.
far az. New Orleans; to observe the character
and prospects Of the country, and to select .
location for the business Of life. He took Day
ton in bis route, then the mere name Of place,
but known in New Jersey from the fact that iis
proprietor was a distinguished citizen Of thai
State-indeed, member, il we mistake not, cf
the Convention which framed the Constitution
Of the United States
He passed down the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers to New Orleans on fat boat, then The
only means oftransporation Of upon those mighty
waters, that he was destined TO see bearihR
upon their broad bosom the commerce of the
most prolific and extensive valley Of the world.
Returning, he again passed through Dayton,
and determined to select it for his future home.
He perceived at that early period the advan>
tages Of I've location, which have since been de,
veloped, aud which make it now one Of the
most hourishiuR Commercial and manufactuf-
ing towns iu the entire West. In The year
1905 he finally settled in this place. and
having invested his means ip the business Of
merchandising. commenced the life which has
Just closed. BY the exercise Of rare sagacity
in making Investments, by active and perse.
vering industry in trade, by close attention to
affairs, and by uniform adherence to the prin.
ciples of strict integrity, he at length succeeded
in amassfhg fortane Which even twenty
years ago was regarded as one Of the most ex>
tensive in Ohio. he has not for some fifteen
years been in active business, but has used his
means variously, and always judiciously to
promote, as welf his own, Us the general inter
ests of the city. He kept fully up, with other
-enterprising citizens in building improvements,
and although his recent iufrmity might we'll
have excused him from entering upon any new
enterprise, he has just completed, as the very
closing act of the life of public spirited ci
zen, one Of the most substantial and elegspt
business houses ever erected in the city.
The character of Mr.. Phillips was in many res
spects that of most remarkable man. He was
sagscious, energetic, and prompt in all business
affairs. Everything 10 and about him bore the
mark Of strong positive individuality. Had the
bent of his mind led him into public affairs, in>
stead OF the pursuits Of business and commerce,
he would have made his mark as one Of the
eminent men of his time. His integrity was
unbending, and whatever may be said gener
ally of the accumulating Of large fortunes, IT,
cannot be said that II. @ Phillips ever tarnished
his honor, or violated any Of the duties Of life
habit Of life were those Of gentleman. lie
had mingled freely with the world snd was
conversant with all its usages
He has just closed a long, active and well,
spent life in the midst of community in which
he was universally respected and esteemed.-
He had passed into the "sear aud yellow leaf"
and with the winds of Autumn settles down
quietly to the earth. This is in the fitting or.
der of Nature, which constantly teaches us the
suggestive lessons of life aud death, growth.
maturity aud decay, by the recurring seasons,
The ripeness of Autumn is followed by the de>
cay of Winter--but this is again succeeded by
the resurrection of the Spring.