Biographies

Source:
The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio
To Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium of National Biography
Illustrated
Publ. Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Company
1902
 

	THOMAS S. PHILLIPS.   One of the widely known and esteemed residents of Wayne township, Knox county, is Thomas S. Phillips.  He was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 27th of January, 1835, a son of Richard and Sarah (Denna) Phillips.  The father was born in Sussex, England, about 1800, and was there reared and educated.  During his boyhood days he studied navigation, and for some time thereafter followed a sailor's life.  He was married in his native land, and in 1821 came with his bride to the United States, locating in Clinton, Knox county, where he worked at farm labor for a time and later opened and operated a distillery.  In later years he purchased the farm on which our subject now resides, and there he remained until within eight years of his death, when he removed to Mount Vernon.  He was a stanch Republican in his political views, and was an active and worthy member of the Episcopal church, having been one of the founders and active spirits in the erection of the house of worship at Mount Vernon, while for a number of years he held office therein.  His wife departed this life in 1866.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were born ten children, four of whom still survive, namely: Benjamin W., a farmer of Wayne township, this county; Thomas S., of this review; William A., of Paulding county, Ohio; and Richard W., of Wayne township, Knox county.      Thomas S. Phillips has spent nearly his entire life on the farm on which he now resides, and during his youth he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common schools of his locality.  In 1856 he went by the water route to California, where he followed mining for a short time, and was then engaged in the commission business and in freighting into the mining districts.  In 1863, after seven years spent in the Golden state, he returned to his old Ohio home on a visit, but he was persuaded by his friends and relatives to remain in Knox county, and accordingly he purchased the old home farm on which he was born and reared and which was endeared to him through recollections of his boyhood days.  Here he is engaged in general farming, and for the past few years has also operated a thresher, meeting with a high degree of success in both branches of his business.  In 1890 Mr. Phillips returned on a visit to California.      His marriage was celebrated in 1864, when Miss Elizabeth Bonner became his wife.  They became the parents of four children, only one of whom is living, Charles M.  Mrs. Phillips has also answered the summons to the home beyond, passing away in 1876.  For his present wife our subject chose Miss Emma Ewalt.  The Republican party receives Mr. Phillips' hearty support and cooperation, and for three years he served as trustee of his township, refusing longer to continue in office, although he has often been solicited to accept the nomination for county commissioner.  Religiously he is a worthy and acceptable member of the Episcopal church. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 93
	W. O. PHILLIPS.   In tracing the career of the successful physician it is usually found that he possesses certain marked characteristics in addition to having a thorough knowledge of the healing art and good financial ability.  There must be a ready sympathy and a power of entering into the feelings of others, united to that self-poise and conscious strength which naturally emanates from a strong, self-reliant nature.  Dr. Phillips is fortunate in being gifted with many of the qualities of the successful physician, and his cheery, helpful optimism is a source of hope and comfort in many a home shadowed by sickness and suffering.  He is now the oldest resident physician of Centerburg, where since 1883 he has followed his profession.      The Doctor was born in Morrow county, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1855.  His grandfather, W. O. Phillips, for whom he was named, was a native of Pennsylvania and became one of the early settlers of Knox county.  His son, James S. Phillips, the Doctor's father, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents on their emigration westward.  After arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Rebecca Ewalt, a daughter of Richard Ewalt, one of the honored pioneers of Knox county, who took up his abode in Hilliar township, where his daughter was born.  Mr. Phillips died in 1868, at the age of forty-five years.  Of his three children the Doctor is the eldest.  The only daughter died in infancy and R. D. Phillips is now a resident of the state of Washington.      Dr. Phillips was only about four years of age when he became a resident of Knox county, and in 1863 he took up his abode in Centerburg.  He pursued his early education in the schools of Mount Liberty and Liberty township, and later became a student in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio.  For six years he engaged in teaching in the district schools of Centerburg and vicinity, but this was only a means to an end— a stepwhich made possible his desire to fit himself for the medical profession.  In 1879 he became a student in the office of Dr. B. F. Jackson, of Chesterville, Ohio, and was graduated in the Cleveland Homeopathic College, in February, 1883.  In June of the same year he opened his office in Centerburg, where he has since remained and today he is the oldest physician in years of continuous connection with the town.  His skill was early manifest in the desirable results which followed his ministrations and in consequence his patronage constantly grew until the demands made for his professional aid leave him little leisure time.  The Doctor is also identified with the business interests of the town as treasurer of the Building & Loan Association.      In May, 1878, occurred the marriage of Dr. Phillips and Miss S. A. McCracken, a daughter of S. S. and Antoinette (Ayres) McCracken.  She was born in Chesterville, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1857, and in its schools acquired her education.  She is a lady of culture and refinement and presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home.  By this marriage five children have been born, but the eldest died in infancy and the third, Karl W., died in October, 1895, at the age of nine years.  The others are Clarence D., Hulah May and Harry S. M.  The Doctor is a very prominent Republican and has served as delegate to various conventions.  He takes an active interest in political work, does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day.  He is president of the board of pension examiners of Knox county and for thirteen years was a member of the board of education of Centerburg, retiring from that office in 1890.  He endorses every measure which he believes will promote the intellectual, material, social and moral advancement of the community and his efforts in this direction have not been without result.  He is an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is an exemplary representative of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities.  The qualities of an upright manhood are his and added to his professional skill make him one of the most valuable citizens of Centerburg.  The success to which the Doctor has attained has come only as the result of adhering tenaciously to a well thought-out course, and by the exercise of indomitable determinations of the will, supplemented by willing hand (and active brain.  The lesson of self-reliance was early learned, whatever honor in the profession or standing in business circles he now holds coming as the result of the intrinsic qualities of the boy developed to mature ripeness in the man. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 196
	CLYDE W. PURDY.  As a judge of the probate court in Knoxville County, Clyde W. Purdy is one of the well known citizens of Mt. Vernon.  He was born in Pleasant Township, Knox County, Sept. 18, 1893, the son of C. V. and Emma (Kerr) Purdy.      C. V. Purdy has spent his entire life in Knox County, and is the owner of a well improved farm in Pleasant Township.  He is the son of RICHARD D. PURDY, who for many years served as justice of the peace in Clay Township, Knox County.  The latter and his wife, Rachel, are buried in Clay Township, Knox County.  The latter and his wife, Rachel, are buried in Grove Cemetery, Harrison Township.  RICHARD D. PURDY was a railroad construction engineer in the early history of Kansas and was widely known as a building contractor in Knox County.  Emma (Kerr) Purdy was born in Pleasant Township, Knox County, and died in 1915.  She is buried in Mound View Cemetery, Mt. Vernon.  She was the daughter of David B. Kerr, who came to Knox County from Morrow County at the age of 21 years, being among the early settlers of Pleasant Township.  He became the owner of 200 acres of land, which is now the Purdy homestead.  He married Hannah C. Bebout.  Both are buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.  To C. V. and Emma (Kerr) Purdy were born two sons: Clyde w., the subject of this sketch; and Ralph D., born in 1908, is a professor in Asbury College, at Wilmore, Ky.  C. V. Purdy was married (second) to Edna Green, and they have a son, Earl.  Clyde W. Purdy attended the public schools of Mt. Vernon and entered Ohio University following his graduation from Mt. Vernon High School in 1913.  He spent three years there, and then engaged in general farming for a period of eight years.  During this time he was active in Grange work as County Deputy Master and held the office of steward in the Ohio State Grange for two terms, or from 1926 until 1930, and was re-elected in 1930.  Mr. Purdy was appointed chief deputy clerk of the Probate Court on April 1, 1824, and served in that capacity until he assumed the office of Probate Judge in February, 1929, having been elected to that office in October, 1928, for a four-year term.      In June, 1915, Mr. Purdy married Miss Mabel Cullison, the daughter of C. V. and Amanda (Miles) Cullison, of Knox County.  Both are deceased, and are buried in Danville Cemetery.  Mrs. Purdy is a graduate of Danville High School, class of 1912, and was a school teacher before her marriage.  They have a son, Robert M., born in 1917.      The Purdy family are widely known in Knox County as ardent supporters of the Grange movement and have always taken a prominent part in Ohio Grange work.  In the upbuilding of the Grange in their community they have devoted much time and effort, four generations of the family having been active in its support.  David B. Kerr was past master of Pomona Grange, and a charter member of Pleasant Grange; C. V. Purdy was past master of Pleasant Grange; Clyde W. Purdy is past master of Pomona Grange, and county deputy; and Robert M. Purdy is a charter member of Pleasant Juvenile Grange.      Judge and Mrs. Purdy are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Vernon, and he is affiliated with Ohio Lodge, No. 199, F. & A. M., of Bladensburg, Ohio; Clinton Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M.; Kinsman Council, No. 76, R. A. M., of which he is present Master; and Clinton Commandery, No. 5, K. T., of Mt. Vernon; and Alladin Temple of Mystic Shrine of Columbus, Ohio.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Purdy are members of Glenwood Chapter, No. 303, Order of the Eastern Star, of Bladensburg.  Judge Purdy is also affiliated with Gambier Lodge, No. 760, Knights of Pythias. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page  68

NOTES: