COLUMBUS PHILLIPS, Needmore, Greene County, Mo., is one of the farmers and an old soldier citizen of Greene County. Joseph, the father of our subject, was a farmer of Granger County, Tenn., and married in that State, Lucy, widow of William MeElhaney, the father of the pioneer to Greene County, Robert McElhaney. She was a Miss Pollard, born in Virginia. Her children by Mr. McElhaney were: Robert, William, Warry, John, E. L. By Mr. Phillips she was the mother of Nathan (deceased, about fifty-five years of age), Louisa (deceased, at fifty-three years of age), Thomas (deceased, at fifty-one years of age), Elizabeth and Columbus. Some years prior to 1888, Mr. Phillips came to Greene County and settled near Springfield and then moved to James River and finally moved to Brooklyn, Mo., and then bought the farm now owned by our subject, consisting then, in 1848, of 230 acres. Politically an old line Whig and afterward a Republican, he was an honest, industrious, and much respected citizen. Columbus, son of Joseph, and our subject, was born June 20, 1838, received a common school education in the pioneer schools, and in 1862 enlisted in the Missouri Home Guard service and was in one skirmish. He then enlisted in the State militia, Company D, Seventy-second Regiment, and was in the battle of Springfield when Marmaduke made his raid, also in a skirmish at Black Run, Ark., and at Lone Rock. He was taken prisoner in southeast Missouri and was paroled. He served three years. When in the Home Guard he was a scout most of the time and was appointed by Gen. Sigel as one of the guides for his army. After his services as a soldier Mr. Phillips returned to farming. He had married in 1860 Nancy Davis and he had one daughter who died, after which Mrs. Phillips died and Mr. Phillips married Sarah J. England, and by her had three children who lived to be grown up: Lucy, John, and Robert. This wife died, and Mr. Phillips married Marrilla McGinnis and they have six children - Emily, Nancy E., Joel, Mary B., Katie, and Zina. Both Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Baptist Church. Politically be is a Republican. Mr. Phillips is a member of the G. A. R., Green Bridge, Mo., Capt. Mack- Post, No. 319. He has a good farm of 230 acres and 100 acres in culture. He was a faithful soldier and has always been an industrious farmer and honorable citizen. Mr. Phillips was on the battlefield of Wilson's Creek the day after the battle and saw the fearful sights. The dead lay thickest on Sharp Hill, where Gen. Sigel lost his battery. Many of the Federal soldiers had been stripped of shoes and clothing by vandals. His statement in this respect agrees with Thomas Yeakley, who was can the battlefield the same day.
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