John Finis Philips facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Finis Philips
Judge of the United 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 the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 7th district
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 (born December 31, 1834 – died March 13, 1919) was an important person from Missouri. He served as a representative in the United States government. He also worked as a judge for the United States District Court in Western Missouri.

Early Life and Education

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

John Finis Philips was born on December 31, 1834. His birthplace was Thralls Prairie in Boone County, Missouri. He went to local schools and also attended the University of Missouri. In 1855, he earned a degree from Centre College.

After college, he studied law. This was called "reading law" back then. It meant he learned about legal rules by studying with an experienced lawyer. By 1857, he became a lawyer. He started his own law practice in Georgetown, Missouri. He worked there until 1861.

In 1861, he was part of a special meeting called a state constitutional convention. This group helped write important rules for the state.

Serving in the Civil War

During the American Civil War, John F. Philips joined the United States Army. He became a colonel, which is a high-ranking officer. He led the Seventh Regiment of the Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He served in the army from 1861 to 1865.

Key Battles

Colonel Philips played a big part in the Battle of Westport. During this battle, he took command of a group of soldiers. This happened when his leader, Brigadier General Egbert Brown, was temporarily removed from command. Philips's group then helped win a major victory at the Battle of Mine Creek a couple of days later.

After the war ended, Philips went back to being a lawyer. He practiced law in Sedalia, Missouri, from 1865 to 1880. He even served as the Mayor of Sedalia for a time. In 1868, he tried to become a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives but was not elected. He also attended a big meeting for the Democratic Party in 1868.

Working in Congress

John F. Philips was elected to the United States House of Representatives. This is where laws are made for the whole country. He represented Missouri's 7th congressional district.

He served his first term in Congress from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877. Later, he was elected again to fill a vacant spot. He served a second time from January 10, 1880, to March 3, 1881. He tried to be re-elected in 1880 but was not successful.

Later Career and Becoming a Judge

After leaving Congress, Philips returned to being a lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1881 to 1882.

He then took on important legal roles. From 1883 to 1885, he was a commissioner for the Supreme Court of Missouri. This means he helped the state's highest court with its work. From 1885 to 1888, he served as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals in Kansas City.

Federal Judge Service

On June 19, 1888, President Grover Cleveland chose John F. Philips to become a federal judge. He was nominated for a position on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The United States Senate approved his nomination on June 25, 1888. He officially became a judge that same day.

Judge Philips served as a federal judge for many years. He retired from this important role on June 25, 1910.

Final Years

After retiring from being a federal judge, John F. Philips continued to practice law in Kansas City. He worked as a lawyer from 1910 to 1917. He passed away on March 13, 1919, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was buried at Mount Washington Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.

Sources

• 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