My Genealogy Hound

Anderson Phillips, one of the most prominent colored farmers in Searcy township, was born a slave of David H. Walker, of Carroll County, Mo., in 1843. His father, Carter Phillips, died in 1889. His mother at last accounts was in Nebraska. Mr. Walker had crossed the plains with his slaves, and left the mother of our subject in the West, and she never returned. After the Emancipation Proclamation, Anderson Phillips came north and joined the Federal army, and served until October, 1865, when he received his discharge, then coming to Phillips County, Ark., where he remained seven years. In 1874 he bought his present property, consisting of 240 acres in Cross County. He first purchased 660 acres, but has given a portion to his children, and now has 130 acres under cultivation. Mr. Phillips was married first in 1866 to Charlotte Smith, who died in 1874, leaving three children: G. A., James H. and Glenn A. (wife of Jeff Ham, a resident of this county). His second marriage was to Alice Ham (who was killed in a railroad accident in 1879). They became the parents of four children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Phillips’ present wife was formerly Martha E. Davis, whom he married in 1880. They have one boy, Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Independent Order of the Immaculate, and are connected with the Baptist Church. The former is a strong Republican, and takes an active part in politics, having held the office of coroner of the county two terms.