Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

When I am stressed for time as I am at this writing, upon the death of my stepmother in Aguilar Co. I usually go to the Compendium of history, Reminiscence and Biography that was printed over a hundred years ago. I look for something to tell you about.

I hope you enjoy the story of the life of F. N. Phillips. This gentleman lived at the base of Lookout Mountain, where he owned the NE ¼ of Section 29 and the very southeastern 40 acres of Section 20, both parcels of land situated in Franklin township. This is close to where Paul Copley lives today.

The story of Frank Phillips

“F. N. Phillips is the fortunate owner of a beautifully located farm know though the region as Park Valley. This place is situated in the shadow of Lookout Mountain, in a charming narrow valley covered with many lovely trees and supplied with sparkling springs of clear water. The farm lands rise gradually to the second table and are very fertile, and altogether this farm is one of the most attractive spots possible to imagine, and delights the eye of the chance traveler by its beautiful views.

“Mr. Phillips is a native of Illinois. His father E. P. Phillips was a pioneer in Lake County, in this state, and later spent quite a number of years in Iowa, following farming nearly all the time.

“While living in Illinois he was active in local affairs, acting for fourteen years as justice of the peace and holding various local offices. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted and serving until the close of the struggle.

“After returning to Illinois he only remained a short time, then moved to Linn County, IA, where he farmed a few months coming to Nebraska with his family in 1867 and settling in Tecumseh County, where our subject was raised and educated.

“In 1872 Mr. Phillips came to Franklin Township, in Franklin County, settling on a tract of railroad land and engaged in stock raising and farming. He spent some time afterward in the eastern part of the state, returning to this section in 1898. He purchased two hundred forty acres to which he has added many improvements, and also bought additional land adjoining his original tract. He now has four hundred acres under cultivation and has considerable hay and pasture land. He has a fine heard of shorthorns, having a number of registered cows and standard bred bull from which he expects to raise some very fine stock. The farm is well equipped with good buildings and every convenience for the handling of his different enterprises, and he is considered one of the prosperous and up to date agriculturists and stockmen in the county.

“ Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Angelina Douglas, of New York State, daughter of Sanford A. Douglas, a native of Vermont, and a prominent pioneer in that state. Our subject is the father of two sons, Walter and Carl, both now grown and living on the home farm.

“Politically Mr. Phillips is a Republican. He has always been prominent in local affairs, serving for a number of years as justice of the peace in this county, also as township assessor and holding other local offices of trust.”

Who never doubted, never really lived. E. M Brainard.
For Another Day, By Rena Donovan
Transcribed by Carol Wolf Britton

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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