Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-11
MR.. CHARLES PHILIPS.
DEATH LAST NIGHT OF THIS WELL
KNOWN CITIZEN.
SKETCH OF HIS LONG LIFE.
For Years Prominent Contractor,
and Then Engaged In other Lines
of Business-A Member of the
Home Gunrd-The Family.

MI. 1HdiitH OnF VI iit IuDNl
aged Of Richmond's citizens, and in
days gone by one of the most prominent
exoavators in the city. died at his home,
No COS west Cary street, last evening at
GAS o'clock.
Deceased had been in failing health
for several years. He was stricken with
pneumonia several weeks ago. and from
that time until the end, he was despe-
rately i'll, practically no hope being en-
tertained for his recovery. His family
and friends were, therefore, prepared for
the end, but 1t came rather unexpected
ly, dissolution being the direct result of
a sudden attack of heart-failure. The
funeral will not occur for several days,
and the arrangements had not been made
last night
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Philips was a native of Henrico,
and had he lived until the 30 of next
month would have celebrated his SD
birthday. He was born on his fathers
farm about six miles above Richmond,
and until % years Of age remained there
at work. His habits were always
frugal. and in 1895. he having saved some
little money. came to Richmond, and
embarked i'm the excavating business.
From the start he was successful, and
when the Richmond and Petersburg
railroad was I'm course of construction
he secured q contract for the excavating
work between Swift creek and Peters
burg.
He remained in this business, which
tn mn
ment, until the war commenced. and as
building operations in Virginia then
ceased, he enlisted in the Home Guard,
under Colonel Evans, and embarked I'm
the grocery business, where now stands
the drugstore of Polk Miller. He took
as his partner Mr.. Sampson Jones. and
the concern did a fiourishng business
until the store was burned down on the
day Richmond was evacuated.
RELIEVED FROM MILITARY DUTY.
In the mean time the deceased had
been elected Overseer of the Poor i'm
Henrico and he was relieved from mill
tary duty After the war he went into
the shoe business with w. f.. Johnson
& Company, the stand being located four
doors above the Dispatch office. Sub
sequently. the partnership with Mr.. John
son was dissolved, and Mr.. Philips moved
to No. 1920 east Main street. and formed
a copartnership with William A. Clarke
to conduct a shoe business. About fifteen
years ago deceased separated from
Mr.. Clarke, and turned the business
over to his son, Mr.. w. r.. Philips, who
now conducts it,
RETIRED FROM ACTIVE BUSINESS.
Since that time Mr. Philips had not
been actively engaged, his time being
devoted to looking after his property,
which. by careful management, he had
accumulated He married on June 10,
1875, Miss Georgiana Smith, of Hanover,
and brought her to the home i'm which he
died, which he had erected three years
previously.
Mrs Philips survives her-husband, with
three chlldren-Mrs. Kate l.. Morris, and
Messrs. w. r. and Charles /. Philips. He
leaves a brother-Mr. Fleming Philips
and a number of grandchildren. Before
coming to this city deceased was mem
Der of Bethlehem Baptist church, but
had not united with any church here.
lie was for many years a regu-
TAR attendant at Groye-Ayenue church,
until deafness precluded the pos
sibility of his hearing the SER
mons. He then contented himself
with the study of the Bible at
home. and became great Biblical
student.
Deceased. though a strict businessman,
was generous and kind, and his family
life was beautiful During his long ana
active life he extended assistance to
number Of men with no hope of pecuniary
reward therefor.