The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-07
A NONOGENARIAN.
Daniel Phillips, a Pioneer Express Man
ager of Hartford.

Daniel Phillips, well known as a sue
cessful business man Of this city and a
pioneer in the express business of this
city, celebrate ted his ninetieth birthday in
a quiet manner yesterday at his home
No 1 Pennington avenue. He had a
few callers and many friends made pre-
sensations of flowers One of the gifts
most appreciated by Mr.. Phillips was a
bouquet of ninety roses, forty-five white
and forty-five red ones, which came
from the employees of the Adams Ex-
press company's office at Westboro
Mass.
Mr.. Phillips was born in Charlton,
Mass, July 2. 1909, and is of Puritan
lineage. He is a lineal descendant of the
Rev. George Phillips, who came to Wa
tertown with Governor Winthrop in $780,
of Lieutenant Peabody, who settled in
Topsfield about 1886 and of the Rev.
Ralph Wheelock. who settled in Dedham
in 1887. Mr., Phillips came to this city in
1S41 and has since resided here. Soon af-
ter he came here Harnden & Co. started
the express business between here and
New York to New Haven by train and
thence by boat The firm had a con-
tract which could be easily terminated,
and after running the business about
three months it was determined that it
was not successful and it was to have
been given up. Mr.. Harnden. however,
made a proposition to Mr.. Phillips to
take the business and upon the latter ac-
cepting sold it to him, taking his note
for three hundred dollars to cover the
trade, Mr. Phillips not having any mon
ey at that time to invest That was the
foundation of Mr.. Phillips successful
business career Ne conducted the bust
ness for twelve years and then was ac-
tive in forming the present Adams Ex-
press company, which absorbed several
other express businesses, including that
conducted by Mr.. Phillips. He was a
director in the Adams Express company
for many years, Mr.. Phillips was the
president of the Mechanics Savings
bank until about two years ago, and Is
now director Of the bank, as well as of
the Orient Fire Insurance company and
the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection &
Insurance company. He has also large
interests in other financial institutions in
this city. Mr.. Phillips was one of the
first policy holders in the defunct Char
ter Oak Life Insurance company and
was director for many years. He still
holds policy No. 20 in the Aetna Life In
surance company and is its oldest living
policy holder.
Mr.. Phillips has lost five children by
DEATH the last of whom Henry Phillips,
died in 1882 and his wife died over three
years ago. Notwithstanding these trials
and sorrows he is a well preserved man
in good health with good eyesight except
in one eye, which is affected with cat
araet, and good hearing He has good
appetite and sleeps well every night in
dications of a good digstion He is a
good walker and walks down town eve
ny day in good weather. He attended
service at the Center church yesterday
morning, as is his custom every Sunday.
He attributes his good health to having
taken good care of himself rather than
to any hereditary predsposition to old
age. None of his immediate ancestors
attained such old age but one relative,
John Phillips of Sturbridge, Mass,
whose father was a brother of Mr.. Phil
lips grandfather, lived to be over one
hundred and four years old He voted
for George Washington for president of
the United States and for Abraham Lin
coin in 1864, being then one hundred and
four years old. He voted for every pres
ident, including the second election of
Lincoln, except in 1860. He was born
June 90, 1850, and died February %, 1865.
President Lincoln wrote him letter of
thanks for his devotion to civic duties in
voting for president in 1864.
Mr. Phillips has a brother living, Aus
tin T. Phillips Of Auburn, Mass, who is
now in his eighty-fourth year For
many years it was Mr.. Phillips habit to
spend portion of the winter months in
Alabama and Florida but he has not
made long journeys for the past ten
years, having arranged his business af-
fairs so that he is not required to spend
much time out of town. He, however
makes occasional trips to Auburn and
Westboro, Mass, and to Boston. At one
time he had large interests in iron plants
in Alabama and he then went there very
in the spring of the year
The Rev. Lewis W. Hicks the only
child of Mr.. Phillips sister,
resigned his pastorate at Wellesly, |
Mass, soon after the death of Mr.. Phil !
lips wife, and came here with Mrs.
Hicks to take charge of his uncle's
household Mr.. Phillips is the last of his |
Of business men in this city |
and his is a familiar figure on the |
streets. Many people will extend con- |
gratulat tons to him on his having at |
tanned such an extreme old age and will |
wish him continuance of the good |
health which has been his good fortune. |
Hartford COurant
Health for ten cents. CaScarets make |
.lI la,anl. md lilnn1.s 90