John Finis Philips

John Finis Philips
Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
In office June 25, 1888 – June 25, 1910
Appointed by	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	Arnold Krekel
Succeeded by	Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMissouri's7thdistrict
In office January 10, 1880 – March 3, 1881
Preceded by	Alfred Morrison Lay
Succeeded by	Theron Moses Rice
In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded by	Thomas Theodore Crittenden
Succeeded by	Thomas Theodore Crittenden
Personal details
Born	John Finis Philips (1834-12-31)December 31, 1834 Boone County, Missouri,US
Died	March 13, 1919(1919-03-13)(aged 84) Hot Springs, Arkansas,US
Resting place	Mount Washington Cemetery,Kansas City, Missouri,US
Political party	Democratic
Education	Centre College(A.B.) read law

John Finis Philips(December 31, 1834 – March 13, 1919) was aUnited States representativefromMissouriand aUnited States district judgeof theUnited States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Education and career

"Judge John F. Phillips" "Colonel Seventh Missouri Federal Cavalry, commanding Brown's Brigade of Pleasanton's Army in the Battle of Westport"

Born on December 31, 1834, in the historical community of Thralls PrairieinBoone County, Missouri,Philips attended the common schools and theUniversity of Missouri,then received anArtium Baccalaureusdegree in 1855 fromCentre Collegeandread lawin 1857.He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice inGeorgetown,Missouri from 1857 to 1861.He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1861.He was aUnited States Armycolonel commanding the Seventh Regiment of the Missouri Volunteer Cavalry from 1861 to 1865, during theAmerican Civil War.He resumed private practice inSedalia,Missouri from 1865 to 1880.He was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives of the41st United States Congressfrom Missouri in 1868.He served as the mayor of Sedalia. He was a delegate to theDemocratic National Conventionin 1868.

Notable combat experience

During theBattle of Westport,Philips was placed in command of a brigade when his superior, Brigadier GeneralEgbert Brown,was placed under arrest by Major GeneralAlfred Pleasantonfor not promptly attacking atByram's Ford.Continuing in command after having taken the ford, Philips' brigade played a key role in the crushing victory atMine Creektwo days later. According to his diary he suffered an irritating wound to his right eye during the battle.

Congressional service

Philips was elected as aDemocratfromMissouri's 7th congressional districtto theUnited States House of Representativesof the44th United States Congress,serving from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877.He was elected from Missouri's 7th congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the46th United States Congressto fill the vacancy caused by the death ofUnited States RepresentativeAlfred M. Layand served from January 10, 1880, to March 3, 1881.He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the47th United States Congress.

Later career

Following his departure from Congress, Philips resumed private practice inKansas City,Missouri from 1881 to 1882.He was a commissioner for theSupreme Court of Missourifrom 1883 to 1885.He was a Judge of theMissouri Court of Appealsin Kansas City from 1885 to 1888.

Notable case

Philips was a member of the defense team for the 1883Gallatin,Missouri murder trial ofFrank James.

Federal judicial service

Philips was nominated by PresidentGrover Clevelandon June 19, 1888, to a seat on theUnited States District Court for the Western District of Missourivacated by JudgeArnold Krekel.He was confirmed by theUnited States Senateon June 25, 1888, and received his commission the same day.His service terminated on June 25, 1910, due to his retirement.

Final years and death

Following his retirement from the federal bench, Philips resumed private practice in Kansas City from 1910 to 1917.He died on March 13, 1919, inHot Springs, Arkansas.He was interred at Mount Washington Cemetery in Kansas City.

Sources

• United States Congress."John Finis Philips (id: P000304)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Annual Report of the Adjutant General of Missouri, for the year ending December 31, 1865,Published by Emory S. Foster, Jefferson City, Missouri, 1866
• Lee, Fred. L.,Gettysburg of the West: The Battle of Westport, October 21–23, 1864,Rev. Ed., Two Trails Publishing, 1996
• Moser, Arthur P., "A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets Past and Present of Boone County, Missouri"http://thelibrary.org/lochist/moser/booneco.html