Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-08-19
DEATH OF ALBERT A. PHILLIPS.

One of the most heart rending To-
cal events of the week has been the
sudden death of Albert A. Phillips.
one of Our oldest and most respected
pioneers. Born at Castalia, Ohio. on
Sept. 18th. 1899, he was in the list
year of his life. Briefly stated, his
boyhood was spent at CaStalia and
Sandusky, the same State. He grad
uated from the high-schoOl, and
passed four years in teaching. At
the age of II he crossed the plains to
Idaho where he mined four years in
the Orc Elmo district. He then re-
turned to Ohio, and later on came to
Puget Sound by way of the isthmus.
His first service in the then Terri
tory was as Enrolling clerk of the
Leg islature, of the session of 1867
At its adjournment he found employ
ment in the store of Samuel w. Per-
clval, one of the pioneer merchants.
A few years later he was elected
County Auditor, and served in that
capacity for fourteen years, in the
days when competency and honesty
was recognized by retention in office
HIS term of office was contemporaries
Gus with that of Francis Henry who
was Probate Judge several terms and
OF William Billings, who was Sheriff
a quarter OF Il century. On retiring
from Office, associated with John p.
Hoyt, he established bank, which
was Incorporated as the First Ma
tional. During the hard times of
1897, the bank failed with many
others, not from want of the ordi-
nary prudent management, but the
force of the financial whirlpool that
prevailed for long period. The
most remarkable tribute to the con-
tidence reposed in him was the fact
that the stockholders and depositors
almost unanimously petitioned the
Comptroller of the Currency Eckles
to appoint him receiver of his own
bank, a confidence he justified by
closing the banks affairs to the sat
isfactiOn of all concerned, paying dol
lar for dollar, although it left him
practically pennylesS. He then
served term as County Treasurer,
and when the State banking law was
passed vas appointed deputy Ex-
aminer by Gov Mead, serving until
the retirement of his chief, Examiner
Engle.
Mr.. Phillips was Mayor of this
city from 1888 to 1885, q trustee of
the Western Hospital for the Insane
and Regent of the State University
under Gov. Ferry's administration.
Mr.. Phillips was married in 1865
to Miss Ellen Gillespie. a daughter of
one of the first residents of WILDLY
Island. and moved to this city soon
afterwards where they have ever
since been prominent in social and
business life. His widow and two
children survive, Charles Phillips of
this city and Mrs. c. NJ. Mitchell, of
MOntclair, N. ].
1t may well be said that the world
is better from such men as Mr.. Phil
lips having lived. His record leaves
its impress upon the community by
an example of honest endeavor and
sterling rectitude that cannot but
elevate the tone of popular incentive.
The funeral rites were held Wednes-
day.
The funeral services were held in
the grove at the Phillips home, where
a large cOncourse of citizens from the
city and abroad assembled to pay the
last token of respect to worthy
man. The services were conducted
by Rev. Geo. r. Messias, of the
Episcopal church. The casket was
covered with profusion of floral Of
ierings. Olympia Lodge of Odd
Fellows, had charge OF the inter-
ment.