The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-15
THE LATE HON. FREDERICK
PHILIPS.

Yesterday morning at eight O'Clock
at his home in Tarboro, Hon Fred
erick Philips passed into rest, after a
long illness. He had held high place
at the bar, on the bench, in the finan-
cial and business world, and had won
success in every field. He was 81
graduate of the University, trustee
and member of the executive commit
tee, and no man was more devoted
to its welfare and its growth. He
always attended meetings of The
board, commencement occasions, and
was held in high esteem by faculty,
the student body and his fellow trus-
tees. He presided at the last two ban
quets of the alumni and his words Of
wisdom, philosophy wit and humor
kept the company in deiighatful
humor during the spread. He owned
money farming. He made money in
Investments, in trade, in manufactur-
ing, in banking. He had excellent
business Judgment and had the high
est conceptions of honor and probity.
Judge Philips was born in Edge
combe county June 14th, 1884. lie
was son OF DR.. James j. Philips, d
prominent and successful physician IN
that county. He was prepared for
university at st. James College oil
MARYLAND and in the fall of 1854 he
entered the University of North caro-
lima, graduating with distinction in
1858. He read law under Judge
Pearson, and began the practice of
law in Tarboro in 1860 in the ptf!ce
of the late Hon. r. r. Bridgers. 1t was
not long before the war Between the
States began and the young attor-
ney was among the first TO enlist IN
the Confederate army. In his company
the Edgecombe Guards-of wnlth
the late Turner w. Battle was captain
he was elected second lieutenant.
serving in the Fourteenth North Caro-
lima regiment, under the command of
the late Col. Mckinney, and went i'm
mediately to Yorktown. Ill health
compelled him to return home for a
time and he later returned to the
front as adjutant of the Thirteenth
North Carolina regiment. commanded
by Col. F. M. Parker. which regiment
was a part of Col. George b. Ander-
sons brigade and Gen. ID. II. Hill
division. Judge Philips participated
in many important battles and was
severely wounded at Blody Lane while
delivering the message of the death
of Gen. Anderson to Col. TeW, the
senior colonel OF the regiment. 1t was
a hazardous undertaking. AS soon az
he had sufficiently recovered he re-
turned to the front and was engaged
N the many battles in which Gen. ID.
H. Hills division PAL ticipated. AT the
battle of Kelly's Ford, after the re-
treat of Gen. Lee, he was wounded,
having his thigh bone broken, and
was compelled to use crutches for
1864 he was assigned to the quarter
masters department at Richmond.
After the war. he was Engrosslns
Clerk of the Legislature of 1S64-5. IN
1866 he was appointed Clerk and
Master in Equity. of Edgecombe, and
was made prosecuting attorney fer
Nash county. He continuously practic-
I'd law from that time until 1882 When
he was elected Superior Court Judge
and rode the circuits for long term
Of years After his retirement from
the bench Judge Philips returned to
he practice of law, but devoted his
time mainly TO looking after his large
plantations and his varied investments,
gradually withdrawing from the
practice of his profession. He had
lmassed q large fortune and was PROB
ably the wealthiest man in EdgecomEe
county He was one of the largest
stockholders in the Commercial and
Farmers Bank in Raleigh and before
MS invalidism never failed to at
tend the monthly meetings of the
directors. He had many other large
interests in Norfolk, Tarboro and else
where. He was a prudent and success
full business man.
In 1865 Judge Philips was married
to Miss Martha Hs man, of Tarboro.
who. with eight children, survive. His
home life was ideally happy, he was