Year: 1869

A


It is due to the memory of one who
for many years was most intimately
connected with the manufacturing in
terests of this community, and whose
character for probity and usefslness
was so marked, that more than a pass.
| ing notice of his death should be re-
corded.


"A. W. Phillips, Sr., the last sad Offices
to whose mortal remains friendly hands
have SO lately performed, was born in
Carlisle, Pa, on the oath day of Janu-
aro, 1884, and emigrated while quite
young to Steubenville, Ohio, where he
soon established for himself a reputa-
tion as the leading and most successful
engine builder in the West. This rep
utation he acquired by laborious perse-
veranoe and industry.


Indaced by the Wheeling Man ufac-
turing Company, IN which our well
known citizens, Messrs. Shriver, List,
McLure, and others, were interested, to
engage with them in the business of en-
gine building, he removed to this city
in 1927, but remained only brief Pc
ried, when he returned again to his
old establishment in the former city.
During his short stay here he was pre-
vailed upon by his friends to purchase a
site for manufacturing on the bank of
the river in North Wheeling, on which
he erected the present foundry and en-
gine works commonly known as "Phil-
lips Foundry" These works were
erected in the year 1882.


During this last named year he again
removed to this city and conducted his
business with marked success, having
gained the reputation for building the
best machinery, whether for use on
land or water, of that built by any
establishment in the West. In 1910 he
was oTertaken by the financial crisis of
that year, and like so many O.hers who
had become inextricably involved by
endorsements for pretended friends, he
also was forced to succumb and to wit
ness the hard earned fortune of years
suddenly and irrevocably swept away.


The foundry and engine works before
referred to were sold and purchased by
his sons, who continued to conduct the
business from that time forward.


Subsequently he was appointed by the
Government Inspector of Boilers and
Machinery for this post, which position
he filled with credit to himself and
fidelity to the Government, until the
commencement of the late war, when
he resigned his position on account of
the enfeebled condition of his health,
occasioned partly by an accident which
befell him while in the discharge of his
duty by his falling into the hold of a
steamboat, from the effects of which he
never recovered, and which during his
last illness was the cause of great pain
and suffering.


During the month of July last this
latter fall which he received was great
ly aggravated by another which befell
him, resulting, it is supposed, from a
paralytic stroke with which he was Wis.,
tied.


But it is as a citizen and Christian
that his life shines most conspicuously.
PunCtual in his appointments, prompt
in the discharge of his duties, and earn
est in the advocacy and support of what
he deemed to be the right, he was a
firm and faithful friend, a worthy citi-
zen and an honest man. In all his do
mestic relations he was tender, affec-
tionate and devoted. A kind, thought
full and cOnsiderate husband, he was al
so gentle, forbearing and attentive
parent.


Some years since he united himself
with the Presbyterian Church, of which
he was an earnest and consistent men,
Der to the period of his death, which oc-
Cured on the 23d day of the present
month. The simple and child-like
faith manifested by him through his
long confinement and last illness was
beautiful and soul-inspiring. In the
gentle tones of his tremulous voice he
wonld express himself as resigned to the
will of his Master, and in all his sick
ness indicated his entire submission to
the dispensations Of kind Providence.
His anxious desire, repeated again and
again, was to depart and be at rest with
Jesus.


The long pilgrimage of his life was
now drawing to close. The scenes of
time and sense were fading and the
realities of eternity were fast unfolding
to his view, but in the midst of the dis
solution of expiring nature, although
his tongue refused him utterance, yet
the expression of resigned countenance
seemed to convey that full assurance of
hope, which, clothed in human Ian
guage, would have employed the terms
II know in whom | have believed"
therefore, ~ will fear no evil, for thy
rod and thy staff, they will comfort
me-" A fitting close to a well spent
life of eighty.tive years. G.


WHEELING, February %, 1865.