History Of Rush County Indiana Brant & Fuller 1888 Surnames in this biography are: Phillips, Vickry, Weesner, Pike, RICHARD H. PHILLIPS, One of Rush County’s most prominent farmers and stock-raisers, was born in Guilford County, N. C., October 8, 1840, being the son of William and Esther (Vickry) Phillips, both natives of North Carolina, the former of Surry County, and the latter of Guilford County. His boyhood and early youth were spent in his native county. As early as twelve years of age he began working out by the month upon a farm, and in that capacity he continued until he reached the age of eighteen, his wages ranging from $3.00 to $6.50 per month. Owing to the poor school facilities in those times his early education was quite limited. But through observation and reading he has somewhat mitigated the lack of early training until now he has a good practical education. He was reared not only in a slave-holding community but also in one in which even white people unless they possessed wealth were denominated as poor white trash, and these associations not being congenial to him, he, as early as eighteen years of age, resolved to cut himself loose from an existence, the very nature of which proved distasteful to him, and find for himself a home in the west, where equality and freedom dwelt together. Accordingly, agreeable to a custom of that time, he, for the sum of $150, purchased his time from his father, and bidding his friends good bye he placed himself at he mercy of an unfriendly world. Having fallen in with a man who was moving with his family to Iowa, he came westward, with him in a wagon and accompanied him as far as Arlington, this county, whither his father, Lewis R. Phillips, had come some years previous. For some three or four years thereafter he worked upon a farm by the month, and during two winters he attended school. He made his home with his brother, and in this manner he continued on up to August 7, 1862, when he volunteered his services to the Union Army, and entered Company C, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war. Besides smaller engagements, he participated in the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, the first attack on Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Sabine, Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, in all of which he discharged his duties in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. At Richmond, Kentucky, he was taken prisoner, but in a few days he was released on parole. At the close of the war he returned to this county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Posey Township. His marriage to Miss Phebe A. Weesner occurred December 16, 1866. She was born in Henry County, December 5, 1847, being the daughter of Nathan and Hannah (Pike) Weesner, the former a native of Persiath County, N. C., and the latter a native of Ohio. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of five children as follows: Clinton W., Adelia II., Edward N., Charlie M. and Ada L., all of whom are living. Mr. Phillips and wife are members of the Friends’ Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. Lodge, and he and wife are both identified with the society known as Patrons of Husbandry. The political affiliations of Mr. Phillips have always been with the Republican Party. He voted the day he was twenty-one, and has never missed an opportunity to deposit his ballot but twice since, and that was during the war when he was restrained from exercising this privilege by the legislature of his State. He owns 273 acres of excellent land, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. In addition to his farming he gives a good deal of attention to the raising of fine cattle, and his herd of Short horns ranks among the best in this part of the State. He is a prosperous farmer, and he and wife are among the county’s most excellent citizens. Mr. Phillips began life a poor boy possessing nothing in the world but willing hands and a mental capacity to direct them with prudence. I do not know anything more about this family, or any of the surnames mentioned. I have this in a book, and thought I would post for those that are researching these surnames. Enjoy! Lora, Jax, Fla