Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-03-11

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Thomas w. Phillips was born in
Beaver now Lawrencel county, Penn
sylyania, on the 23d of February, 1885,
aud is now in the very prime of life.
His father was born in New Jersey,
and his mother in Philadelphia. In
1915, soon after their marriage, they
removed to Beaver county, purchased
a tract OF land where Old Enon now
stands, and built thereon a fulliDg
mill and saw mill. Ten years later
they removed TO farm near the vii
Iage of Mt. Jackson. in the same county,
where the father died, at the age of
forty, leaving n family Of eight chill
dren, Thomas. the youngest, being but
ten months old.
At the time of the fathers death bis
farm, of one hundred acres, was SO
heavily encumbered with debtas to en-
tail upon the faithful. and devoted
mother long and painful struggle
in the care of her large family, in which
struggle the youth Of the youngest boy
was so envolved that his education
was for the most part obtained in the
common schools and from such instruc-
tions in the higher branches as his
older brothers were able to give him
during their vacation from college or
from teaching. The opportunities af-
forded him he improved to the utmost.
AS he attained manhood, being the
youngest member of the family, the
care Of his aged mother naturally de-
volved upon him, which alone preven-
ted him from prosecuting collegiate
education, the cherished desire of his
life. He was possessed Of a mind which
did not require the spur or stimulus
which college is thought 10 afford,
and his mental development and
growth were, perhaps, not much re-
tarded by his inability to secure these
supposed advantage. Aside from his
studies he read widely, history, bio
graphy, and scientific literature and was
passionately fond of the lyceum-the
college of tho common schools-and
obtained local distinction for his ability
as an original thinker and debater.
He proposed entering the ministry
of the Disciples, and at the early age of
20 gave large promises of obtaining
distinction in his chosen profession.
Having received an injury to his lungs
by being thrown from a carriage, he
was compelled to abandon this purpose
and turn his attention to some out
door pursuit, with view to restoring
his health. About this time the oil
business, then in it's infancy, was at
tracing considerable attention. He
went to the oil regions, looked over
the field, invested and was successful.
The business thus begun was con-
tinued under tine firm of PhillipsBr os.,
composed of Isaac, John, Charles and
Thomas w. Phillips; Thomas being the
youngest, and obtained such magni-
tude as to place them among the larg-
est producers of petroleum in the
world, and caused them to be well
known, not only throught this country,
but in Europe also. In addition to the
oil business, they also operated largely
in real estate and coal property.
The firm was successful and were
generous with their means. They con-
tributed largely during the war to the
Sanitary and Christian Commission, to
young men seeking education, to the
poor, to churches, colleges, and the
manifold objects of benevolence exist
ing on every hand.
In 1862 Mr.. Phillips was married to
Clarinda Hardman, of Lowellville, o.,
who, prior to her death, which occur
ed November, 1866, achieved consider
able reputation as poetical writer
Her poems were subsequently collected
by her husband and published in a neat
volumn OF 40 pages, to be presented
to her circle of friends and admirer;
who desired copy Of her work, which
they could procure in no other way
-Four years after the death of his wife
lie was married to Pamphila Hardman
her younger sister, who is one of th'
leading ladies in New Castle in literary
work, besides being actively engaged
in charitable and Christian deeds.
When General Garfield received tn,
nomination for the Presidency a
Chicago, being an intimate and warn
personal friend of the General, o
many years standing, and moreove
an ardent and true Republican, Mr.
Phillips lald aside his business and con
tributed his entire time until election
il behalf OF his friend and party. Hi
efforts during the campaign took
wide range.
First, he conceived and planned th
Republican textbook for the campaigl
Of 1880, written by d. A. Hinsdale. III
assisted in compiling its materials AM
became its financial backer It covere'
the,whole field of information necessar.
to the contest more ccmprchensively
thoroughly and concisely than an
book before produced in any politica
campaign. In speaking of campaig
books the press place this at the hea
OF the list. 1t was the first book eve
compiled for campaign purposes whic
gave the platforms Of both parties an
their principles, together with a hi