The Phillips family moved from North Carolina to Texas between 1889 and 1893. John Walter Phillips is one of twelve children born to the marriage of Samuel H. Phillips and Laura Harper. On the 1900 census, Laura Phillips is shown to be the mother of twelve with nine children living.

1900 Justice Precinct 4, Gillespie, Texas census lists this household father Haywood Phillips born Dec 1848 age 51 birthplace North Carolina; mother Laura Phillips born Aug 1855 age 44 birthplace North Carolina, who had been married 27 years; mother of 12 Children with 09 children living; children:
1. Walter Phillips born Sep 1873 age 26 birthplace North Carolina;
2. Silas Phillips born Mar 1876 age 24 Birthplace North Carolina;
3. Betty Phillips born Jun 1878 age 21 birthplace North Carolina;
4. Willie Phillips born Jul 1880 age 19 birthplace North Carolina;
5. Lela Phillips born Nov 1886 age 13 birthplace North Carolina;
6. George Phillips born Jun 1889 age 10 birthplace Virginia;
7. Della Phillips born Nov 1892 age 07 birthplace Texas;
8. Clarence Phillips Nov 1894 age 05 birthplace Texas;
9. Chester Phillips Oct 1898 age 01 birthplace Texas.
Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 4, Gillespie, Texas

1910 United States Federal Census about John W Phillips 36; Birth Year: abt 1873 Birthplace: North Carolina; Home in 1910: Justice Precinct 2, Burnet, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members:
Name Age
Samuel H Phillips 61
John W Phillips 36
Bettie E Phillips 32
William M Phillips 29
Lela B Phillips 23
George W Phillips 20
Della M Phillips 17
Clarence E Phillips 15
Chester E Phillips 11
Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 2, Burnet, Texas.

1920 United States Federal Census about John W Phillips
Name: John W Phillips
Age: 46
Birth Year: abt 1874
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Justice Precinct 1, Jim Wells, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members:
Name Age
John W Phillips 46
Clarence E Phillips 23
Chester E Phillips 21
Lela B Phillips 33
Della M Phillips 27
Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Justice Precinct 1, Jim Wells, Texas.


It appears John W. Phillips married. He is shown as a widower on his death certificate.

1940 Jim Wells County Texas Census
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Jim Wells, Texas
Residence in 1935: Rural, Jim Wells, Texas
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
John Phillips 66
Clarence Phillips 46
Lela Phillips 56
Della Phillips 48
Source Citation: Year: 1940; Census Place: Jim Wells, Texas.


Texas, Death Certificates, 1903–1982 about John W Phillips
Name: John W Phillips
Birth Date: 4 Sep 1873
Birth Place: Winston, Salem, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Race: White
Residence: Rural, Jim Wells, Texas
Father: Samuel Phillips
Mother: Laura Harper
Age at Death: 68
Death Date: 27 Jun 1942
Death Place: Precinct 1, Jim Wells, Texas, USA