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Note: From Fannie Dell (Phillips) Cook: "... John Phillips was born in Forfar, Scotland in 1794. ... It took three months to reach Buffalo, New York from Scotland; another month the get to Chicago in 1842.
"His first wife's name, we have reason to believe, was Jane Spence Phillips. She died in 1839, and is buried in Forfar, Scotland. John left a sum of money in his will for a children's home there.
"John came to America in 1842 with seven children--five sons and two daughters: William, David, john, Mary, Alexander, Agness, James.
"Some of the family claim William Spence Phillips, our grandfather, the oldest son, came to the united States before the rest of the family.
"John Phillips married his housekeeper, Agatha, for his second wife. No descendants.
"Grandfather John established the fist chair factory in Chicago at River and green Streets (near Milwaulkee Ave.). This is where the Northwestern Depot now stands. His first work was done in a room 12x14 feet using a foot lathe to turn the stock for his chairs. He soon added horsepower and later had the largest factory in the country. He ran the factory until his death in 1869. According to his will, the factory wa to be run for ten years longer. His fortune amounted to $75,000 to $100,000. He willed part of the money to Rush Medical School, since Dr. Ross of Rush Medical had helped his neuralgia.
"His sons tried unsuccessfully to break the will. Non of the sons were as successful in business as their father.
"John Phillips' record is in the History of Chicago by Aldreas, Vol. III, p. 737. Copy of the will (original missing) Case #4-744 County Building, Chicago."
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