My Genealogy Hound

J. D. Phillips was born in Pike County, Ga., December 1, 1828, and is a son of Thomas G. and Mary L. (Sessions) Phillips, both natives of South Carolina. They made their residence in Georgia, where the father died in 1867. The mother’s death occurred in 1868, while on her way to this State. They had twelve children, six of whom are living, but only one, the subject of this sketch, in this State. James D. was reared on a farm until fifteen years of age, when he learned the machinist’s trade at Savannah, Ga., and after nine or ten months engaged in the saw and grist mill business in Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. He came to Craighead County, Ark., in March of 1861, and followed blacksmithing until 1871. He went to Phillips County, where he remained but two years, and then returned to Craighead, and has since then been engaged in farming, at which he has been very successful. He has been an extensive land holder in both this and Poinsett Counties, and at present owns a farm of 320 acres, forty of which are under cultivation. He operated the first saw-mill in Craighead County, thus introducing one of the leading industries, and is one of the oldest and most experienced mill men in the county. He was married, September 9, 1852, at Chattanooga, Tenn., to Sarah A. McLemore, a native of East Tennessee. Their union has been blessed with nine children: Josephine, Thomas, James A. (was married to Melinda McCarty), Henry C., Mary and Alonzo, all deceased, and Eliza Virginia, Vestie A. and William R. Mrs. Phillips and two daughters are members of the Christian Valley Church. Mr. Phillips is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is greatly interested in religious and educational matters. He belongs to the Agricultural Wheel, and was among the first and is one of the most prominent Wheelers in the county.