The Families of Thomas Wesley Phillips:
Thomas W. Phillips was born in May
1860 in Ozark Township, Lawrence Co., MO. He was the son of Annanias
Phillips & Delia Ann Kelley. He was married twice, first to Sarah
Jane Moore, and second to Sarah Margaret "Maggie" Murrell.
Sarah
Jane was born on May 1, 1864 in Mt. Vernon, Lawrence Co., MO. She was the daughter
of Joseph Moore & Nancy Hulstine.
Maggie was born on March 30, 1868 in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO. She was the daughter
of Mitchell Murrell & Sarah Buckner.
 |  | Thomas W. Phillips & Sarah Jane Moore | Thomas
Wesley Phillips married Sarah Jane Moore on Oct. 17, 1880 in Phelps, Lawrence
Co., MO. Thomas & Sarah Jane's marriage license says they were married
at the home of the bride, in Phelps. They had 5 children. The family moved from
Lawrence to Taney Co., Missouri sometime between October 1880 and July 8, 1883
when daughter Ollie was born in Forsyth, Taney, Missouri. In late 1884, Thomas
W. Phillips was one of the founding members of the Taney County League of Law
& Order (also known as The Bald Knobbers.) This group consisted of several
lawyers and Civil War veterans. In December 1885 the Taney County Courthouse burned
down. Thomas W. Phillips was issued a land patent for a cash sale of land in Taney
Co., Missouri on March 10, 1886, and in the Spring of 1886 the Bald Knobbers were
disbanded. The family returned to Lawrence County sometime between March 1886
and December 1891. Sarah Jane Moore Phillips died in March 1891. She is
buried in Summit Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, Lawrence, Missouri. Sarah Jane was 27 years
old when she died, and left Thomas with 5 children, ages 2 to 10. Thomas was living
in Phelps, Lawrence Co., Missouri in Dec. 1891 when his grandfather's probate
papers were filed. He was remarried to Sarah Margaret Murrell in December 1893.
See below for more information on that marriage. Notes for Thomas Wesley Phillips Notes for Sarah Jane Moore |
The children of Thomas W. Phillips
& Sarah Jane Moore:
 | Lula Mae Phillips | Lula Mae Phillips was
born Sept 04, 1881, in Lawrence or Taney Co., Missouri. Her mother died when
she was age 9, and her father remarried when she was age 12. Lula married William
M. Wilson in 1896 when she was age 16, and they had 6 children. William &
Lula are listed on the 1900 & 1910 censuses of East Half Mt. Vernon, Lawrence
Co., MO.Lula is listed in 1900 as having 2 births with 0 surviving children, and
in 1910 as having 6 births with 3 surviving children. Lula is listed as living
in Miller, MO on her grandmother's probate record in 1919, and the family is on
the 1920 census of Turnback Twp., Lawrence Co., MO and the 1930 census of Springfield,
Greene Co., MO. William's occupation is listed as laborer, odd jobs, and Lula's
is listed as housekeeper, private family. Lula Mae Phillips Wilson died June
26, 1970 in Springfield, Greene, Missouri. |
 | Ollie M. Phillips | Ollie M. Phillips was born July 08, 1883
in Forsyth, Taney Co., MO according to the birth certificate of her son Ralph
Helsel. Her mother died when she was age 7, and her father remarried when
she was age 10. At age 16, Ollie married John Elmer "Jack" Dyer on
September 21, 1899 in Phelps, Lawrence Co., MO. They were married at the home
of Ollie's father, Thomas W. Phillips. They had a daughter, Bessie, born March
1901, but they moved soon after that from Missouri to Colorado. Jack & Ollie
are listed in the 1902 City Directory for Canon City, CO, with Jack's occupation
listed as Hostler at W.B.Knox, which was a saloon there. He also worked part-time
helping the guards at the Colorado State Penitentiary, which was less than a block
from their house in Canon City. In the 1903 City Directory, Jack is listed as
living alone in the rooms above W.B.Knox - Ollie had taken Bessie and was living
elsewhere. I assume she returned to Missouri, where she got her evangelist license
in July 1907. They were possibly divorced by 1910 - on the 1910 census Jack is
living in Florence City, Fremont Co., CO and he is listed as married, but Ollie
is living in Harrison Twp., Boone Co., Arkansas, and she is listed as divorced.
Jack and Ollie were divorced by 1916 - Jack remarried in 1916 to Lula LaPlant,
and Ollie remarried June 24, 1917 in McPherson, McPherson Co., KS to Samuel
Franklin Helsel. rank was a widower with 4 young sons,. ages 4 months to 8
years old. Frank's first wife was Mary May Kindred. Ollie also had a daughter
from her previous marriage to Jack Dyer; Bessie was age 16. Frank & Ollie
had 3 more children. The family is listed on the 1920 census of McPherson, McPherson
Co., KS. They are listed on the 1925 census of Oketo, Marshall, Kansas. They are
listed on the 1930 census of Meade Center Twp., Meade Co., KS. Ollie M. Phillips
Dyer Helsel died on November 16, 1933 in Meade, KS. She is buried in the Graceland
Cemetery in Meade, Meade Co., KS. Frank died on December 26, 1959 in Lyons, Linn
Co., OR. He is buried in McPherson, McPherson Co., KS. Ollie was a licensed evangelist
in the Free Methodist church. She suffered from lupus, and was not able to tolerate
much sunlight on her skin. The Families of John Elmer "Jack" Dyer Photos of Ollie Phillips Dyer Helsel Notes for Ollie Phillips Dyer Helsel |
 | Clemmie "Bessie" Phillips | Clemmie "Bessie"
Phillips was born March 16, 1885 in Forsyth, Taney Co, Missouri. Records place
the family in Taney County from birth of Bessie's sister Ollie in July 1883 to
a land sale to her father there in March 1886. They had returned to Lawrence County
by December 1891, when Bessie's father is listed in probate papers for his grandfather.
.Bessie's mother died when she was about age 6, and her father remarried when
she was about age 8. She is listed as Clemmie, age 15, with her father & stepmother
on the 1900 census of Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Bessie married Harry Casner
on Jan 12, 1904, and they had 3 children. Harry & Bessie are living in Aurora,
Lawrence Co., MO on the 1910 census & Harry's occupation was bookkeeper, iron
works. Bessie died March 20, 1914 in Aurora, Lawrence Co., MO. Her niece
Irene Duran writes that Clemmie died young of blood poisoning, and that she is
buried in a big plot in Maple Park Cemetery, Aurora Mo by herself. The children
were living in Cassville, MO in March 1919, and are listed with their grandparents,
Elijah & Nellie (Gray) Casner on the 1920 census of Joplin, Jasper Co., MO.
Harry remarried Grace Hathaway about 1920 and moved to Oklahoma & Texas. Harry
& Grace are listed on the 1920 & censuses of Muskogee, Muskogee Co, OK. |
 | Flora Phillips | Flora Maybelle Phillips was born Feb 07, 1887
in Taney or Lawrence Co., Missouri. Records place the family in Taney County
in March 1866 and then in Lawrence County in December 1891. Her daughter Irene
says that Flora gave herself the middle name Maybelle because she always wanted
a middle name. Flora's mother died when she was age 4, and her father remarried
when she was age 6. Flora is listed on the 1900 census in both her father &
stepmother's household in Green Twp, and also in her married sister Ollie Dyer's
household in East half Mt. Vernon, both in Lawrence Co., MO. Flora married Ollie
V. Phillips (no relation) on Dec 26, 1906 in Mt. Vernon, Lawrence Co., MO,
and they had 3 children. The family is on the 1910, 1920 & 1930 censuses of
Turnback Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Ollie's occcupation is listed as farmer. Flora
Phillips died on June 5, 1960. Ollie V. Phillips died on March 09, 1965. Photos of Flora Phillips Notes for Flora Phillips |
 | Loren Phillips | Loren Phillips was born Aug 18,
1889 in Taney or Lawrence Co., Missouri. His WWI draft card, filled out in
1919, states that he was born in Mt. Vernon, Lawrence Co., Missouri, but records
place the family in Taney County in March 1866 and then in Lawrence County in
December 1891. He is listed at age 10 with his father & stepmother on the
1900 census of Green Township, Lawrence Co., MO. Loren married Laura (last
name unknown), probably about 1909, and they are listed on the 1910 census of
Richland Twp, Labette Co., KS with a son named Eldon. In 1919 he is listed as
being in the army on his grandmother's probate papers. I have not found Loren
on the 1920 census at this time. Loren married Anna about 1928, and they
are listed on the 1930 census Bakersfield, Kern Co., CA. At that time Loren's
occupation was Driller of Oil Fields. Loren Phillips died Sept 16, 1951 in
Bakersfield, CA. His niece Irene told me that Loren was married twice, but
she did not know that he had any children. Wedding photo Loren Phillips & Laura Photo Loren Phillips |
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 | Thomas W. Phillips & Sarah Margaret Murrell | Thomas
W. Phillips married Sarah Margaret "Maggie" Murrell on Dec 25, 1893
in Mt. Vernon, Lawrence Co., MO. Thomas & Maggie had 6 children between
1895-1908. An article in Lawrence County Record, Mt. Vernon, MO on Thursday Sept
5, 1912, reported: "Thomas Phillips died at the Asylum at Nevada (MO) Sunday
afternoon at two o'clock. The body was shipped to Hoberg over the Iron Mountain
rail road where it was met by friends and relatives and conveyed to Summit church
where the funeral services were conducted and the remains were laid to rest in
the Cemetery near the church. Mr. Phillips recently became of unsound mind and
was so judged at a trial before Probate Judge Scott B. Dayton last week. He was
taken the next day by the Sheriff to Nevada where he only lived a few days."
Thomas Wesley Phillips died on September 2, 1912 in Nevada, MO. He was age
52 when he died, and cause of death was "maniacal exhaustion from Manic Depression
insanity." Maggie Phillips filed a paper asking to forego probate due to
the small size of the estate - less than $500. Maggie remarried Michael Augustine
Busch in 1914 in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO, and they moved to Kansas about 1915.
Family story is that Maggie "ran an ad for a husband", and Michael
Busch saw the ad and began writing to her. The family is listed on the 1920 &
1930 censuses of Maple Twp., Cowley Co., KS. According to Maggie's obit, they
moved to Augusta, Butler Co., KS about 1937. Maggie died on February 25, 1945
in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. She is buried in Augusta, Butler Co., KS. Michael
Busch died in 1953. |
The children of Thomas W. Phillips & Sarah Margaret Murrell:
 | Docia Phillips | Docia Odessa Phillips was born
Jan 19, 1895 in MO. She is listed with her parents at age 5 the 1900 census,
and age 15 on the 1910 census, both in Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Docia married
John Owings about 1910 and they had at least 3 children - at the time of
their marriage John was age 21 and Docia was age 15. John & Docia Owings are
on the 1910 census of Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. In September 1912 Docia's
father was declared of unsound mind and he died, and in November 1914 her mother
remarried Michael Busch. John & Docia moved from Missouri to Kansas sometime
between 1917 to 1920, possibly following her stepfather & mother who had moved
to Kansas about 1915. John & Docia are listed on the 1920 census of Walnut
Twp., Butler Co., KS, and on the 1930 census of Augusta, Butler Co., KS. On both
censuses John's occupation is listed as Machinist. In February 1945 Docia is listed
as Mrs. John Owings, 2140 Park Place, in her mother's obit in a Wichita, KS newspaper.
John Owings died on June 21, 1948, and he is buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta,
Butler, Kansas. At some time between 1948 to 1976 Docia was remarried to Mr. Howe.
She is listed as Docia Howe on the Social Security Death Index. Docia Odessa
Phillips Owings Howe died on March 31, 1976 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. She
is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, Butler, Kansas under the name Docia
Owings. Notes for Docia Odessa Phillips Owings Howe Photos of Docia Odessa Phillips Owings Howe & her family Gravestone of Docia Odessa Phillips Owings Howe |
 | Hattie Ruth Phillips | Hattie Ruth Phillips was
born February 12, 1900 in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO. She is listed with her
parents at age 3 months on the 1900 census, and age 10 on the 1910 census, both
in Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Her father was declared of unsound mind and died
in September 1912, and her mother remarried Michael Busch in November 1914. Hattie
married Emmett Monroe Abbett about 1914; at the time of her marriage, Emmett
was age 28 and Hattie was age 14. They had one son named Milton. The family is
listed on the 1920 census of Spring Twp., Butler Co., KS. At some time between
1920 to 1930 the family moved from Kansas to New Mexico, and they are listed on
the 1930 census of Precinct #4, Chavez Co., NM. The family returned to Kansas
by Feb. 1945, and Hattie is listed in her mother's obit that year as Mrs. E. M.
Abbett, 523 South Sheridan, probably in Wichita, KS which is where the obit was
published. Emmett Abbet died in August 1950, and Hattie married George J.
Huenergardt in 1952. George was a widower whose wife had died in 1941,
and he had 5 grown children from his first marriage. In June 1953 Hattie is listed
in her stepfather Michael Busch's obit as Mrs.Hattie Huenergardt of Wichita, KS.
George died on April 29, 1955 in Wichita, and Hattie is listed as "Huenergardt
Ruth H (wid Geo)" in the 1958 Wichita City Directory. At that time Hattie
was working in a nursing home and living at 1301 S Fern. Hattie was a nurse (LPN).Some
time between 1958 to 1975 Hattie was married again to David D. King. David
died on June 06, 1969 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS and Hattie did not remarry
again. She is listed in her brother William's obit in October 1975 as Hattie King
of Fall River, KS. Hattie Ruth Phillips Abbett Huenergardt King died May 26,
1979 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS, and is buried at Lakeside Cemetery. Her
name is listed on all census records as Hattie, her obituary lists her name as
Ruth King, and also lists her address as 702 Florence in Wichita, KS. In her obit,
the only surviving child mentioned is a daughter named Lois Abbot - I think this
is actually her daughter-in-law Lois Marie Adamson Abbett, widow of Hattie's son
Milton who had died in 1978. Photos of Hattie Ruth Phillips Abbett Huenergardt King & her descendants Notes for Hattie Ruth Phillips Abbett Huenergardt King |
 | Erma Phillips | Erma May Phillips was born September 22, 1901
in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO. She is listed with her parents at age 8 on the
1910 census of Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Her father was declared of unsound
mind and died in September 1912, and her mother remarried Michael Busch in November
1914. The family moved from Missouri to Kansas about 1915. Erma married Goodwin
sometime before 1920, but he died or they separated soon after because Erma is
listed without a husband in the household of her stepfather & mother on the
1920 census of Maple Twp, Cowley Co., KS - she is listed at that time as Irma
Goodwin, age 18, (marriage status unreadable, possibly was an M changed to a Wd.).
Erma married second Frank Rhea Pearce about 1924, and they had 6 children.
Based on birthplaces listed for their children on census records, they were in
Texas in about 1925 & 1927, but the family is listed on the 1930 census of
Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. In her mother's obit in Feb.1945 Erma is listed as
Mrs. Frank Pearce, rural route No. 6, Wichita (KS). Mrs. Erma Pierce of Fort Worth,
Texas was listed as a surviving sibling of both her brother William in October
1975, and of her sister Ruth in May 1979. Erma May Phillips Goodwin Pearce
died on July 28, 1996 in Arlington, Tarrant Co., TX. Notes for Erma May Phillips Goodwin Pearce |
 | Willie R. Phillips | William Ray "Willie R."
Phillips was born on September 4, 1903 in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO. He is
listed with his parents at age 6 on the 1910 census of Green Twp., Lawrence Co.,
MO. His father was declared of unsound mind and died in September 1912, and his
mother remarried Michael Busch in November 1914. The family moved from Missouri
to Kansas about 1915. William is listed with his mother and stepfather at age
16 on the 1920 census of Maple Twp., Cowley Co., KS. William is listed on his
mother's obituary in Feb. 1945 as W. R. Phillips, living on 728 Garland ( I assume
in Wichita, KS, which is where she died). William married Inez Hadley Edwards
on September 12, 1928; Inez had 2 daughters from her first marriage to David Edwards.
The family is listed on the 1930 census of Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. William
remarried Jennie Walling sometime between 1931 to 1975 - Walling is Jennie's
married name, and she had one son from her previous marriage. In William's obit
he is listed as having 2 surviving sons and 1 daughter in addition to his stepdaughters
and stepson, but I don't know which children belong to which of his marriages.
William R. Phillips died October 7, 1975 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. Notes for William R. Phillips |
 | Alta Fern Phillips | Alta Fern Phillips was born on December
21, 1905 in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO. She is listed with her parents at age
4 on the 1910 census of Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Her father was declared
of unsound mind and died in September 1912, and her mother remarried Michael Busch
in November 1914. The family moved from Missouri to Kansas about 1915. Alta is
listed at age 14 with her stepfather & mother on the 1920 census of Maple
Twp., Cowley Co., KS. According to her obit, Alta moved from Missouri to Kansas
about 1925.According to letters from her sister Stella's daughter, Alta Fern was
married to George Leach about 1924, and had at least one son named George
Francis Leach who was born in 1925 in Texas. She was also married to T. E.
Moore, who is listed in her 1937 obit as being assistant manager of the Singer
Sewing Machine Company in Wichita, KS. I have not been able to find her on the
1930 census at this time, but first husband George Leach is living in Eldorado,
Butler, Kansas with a new wife named Loree and 5 year old son George F. Leach.
Loree is age 17 and indicates that her first marriage was at age 17, so the son
George is child from his first marriage to Alta. Alta Fern Phillips Leach Moore
died in Aug 1937 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. She is buried in the Elmwood
Cemetery, Augusta, Butler, Kansas. Her obit said that she had lived in Wichita
12 years and was the wife of a well-known Wichita businessman. Her obit does not
mention any children. Notes for Alta Fern Phillips Leach Moore Photos for Alta Fern Phillips Leach Moore Tombstone Alta Fern Phillips Leach Moore |
 | Stella Phillips | Stella Marie Phillips was born Jan 19 1908
in Miller, Lawrence Co., MO. She is listed with her parents at age 2 on the
1910 census of Green Twp., Lawrence Co., MO. Her father was declared of unsound
mind and died in September 1912, and her mother remarried Michael Busch in November
1914. The family moved from Missouri to Kansas about 1915. Stella is listed at
age 12 with her stepfather & mother on the 1920 census of Maple Twp., Cowley
Co., KS. Stella married William "Bill" Flower in about 1923,
and they had two children. William & Stella are listed on the 1930 census
of Udall, Cowley Co., KS. Stella was a homemaker, and she worked at Boeing during
World War II. In her mother's obit in Feb.1945 Stella is listed as Mrs. Bill Flower,
Winfield (KS). Stella worked with her husband Bill at Flowers Service Station
until retiring in 1963. Mrs. Stella Flower of Winfield was listed as a surviving
sibling of her brother William in October 1975, and of her sister Ruth in May
1979. Bill Flower died on January 29, 1980. Stella was married second to Joseph
Zanardi on Oct 11, 1980. Joseph Zanardi died on February 18, 1991. Stella Phillips
Flowers Zanardi died on January 4, 2000 in Winfield, Cowley, Kansas. Notes for Stella Phillips Flower Zanardi Photos for Stella Phillips Flower Zanardi |
