🏠 » Genealogy » Phillis and Thomas

Compiled and written by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
Granddaughter of William Walker Phillis
The contents of this website, including images and photos, may neither be copied nor otherwise used or posted elsewhere without explicit permission. Citing this page
© Kimberli Faulkner Hull

William Walker Phillis was born on 1 September 1884 in Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio to John Cyrus Phillis and Julia Ann Thomas. William’s middle name was most likely honoring his mother’s younger brother, Walker Thomas, and older brother, William.¹

[Open Endnotes in separate tab]

Both of William’s grandmothers, Jemima Phillis and Jane Thomas, lived nearby in Guernsey County.²

William grew up with his siblings on the family farm in Pleasant Valley, Cambridge Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, which was in the northern part of Cambridge.³

In May 1904, William and his brother, Charlie, left Pleasant Valley to venture west; Will went to Mount Hope, Kansas to work on a farm and Charlie went to St. Louis for a new career.⁴

After the family farm sold in Ohio, the rest of the family joined Will and they eventually made their homes in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma.⁵

The family first moved to a farm near Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, close to the Oklahoma border, and began making friends in their new community.⁶ A few years later, the family moved to Dewey, Washington County Oklahoma, which is about 15 miles south of Caney.⁷

Will and his mother, Julia, traveled together to visit friends in Wichita, Kansas in 1909. The family also had a Thanksgiving family reunion in 1909, with Will and all his brothers attending at his parents’ home.⁸

By 1910, William had moved to Caney and was working at a pump station.⁹

William Walker Phillis and Maggie Maude Graves marriage

William married Maggie Maude Graves on 12 July 1911^.10 The couple moved to Hutchinson, Kansas for about six months and then returned to the Caney area.¹¹ In 1912, William and Maggie entertained Will’s brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Mabel Phillis, and also visited Will’s family in Dewey. ¹²

Sadly, Maggie Maude soon became ill and died at the early age of 27 on 23 Mar 1913 in Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas. Maude is buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Kansas.¹³

William Walker Phillis and Myrtle Ivy Hooper marriage

William married second to Myrtle Ivy Hooper on 11 October 1913 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The couple was married by Theo N. Gayen, Pastor First Baptist Church of Bartlesville.¹⁴

Myrtle was the older sister of Mabel Hooper, who had married William’s brother, Fred Ewing Phillis, in 1909.¹⁵

Oddly, both William and Myrtle had lost vision in one eye as children. It is unknown how William lost his sight. Myrtle lost her left eye as a child when struck by a pair of scissors dropped by a sibling.¹⁶

W. W., as Myrtle referred to him, Myrtle, and daughter, Eleanor Marie, remained in Caney for several years and then moved to Independence, which is about 20 miles north of Caney, by 1920.¹⁷

In 1923, when Evelyn Lee was born, the family was residing in the Cotton Valley School District, in Washington County, Oklahoma.¹⁸

W. W. worked as a Field Services Manager for Cities Services Gas Company, and by 1930, the family moved to Altoona, Kansas.¹⁹

By 1935, the family had moved back to Independence, where William and Myrtle would live for the remainder of their lives.

Eleanor married Hanley Baird in 1939, and, in 1940, W. W., Myrtle, Eleanor, Hanley, and Evelyn were all living in the same household in Independence, near the Professional Building.²⁰

By the mid-1940s, W. W. and Myrtle lived at 108 Sycamore in Independence with their daughter, Evelyn, and her husband, Ernest Faulkner, who wed in 1943.²¹

W. W. and Myrtle moved to Eleanor and Hanley’s house at 1020 W. Maple in Independence when Eleanor and Hanley moved to California.²²

William Walker Phillis died at the age of 77 on 7 February 1962 in Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas and is buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, Kansas.²⁴

William Walker Phillis obituary

William Phillis Dies Wednesday; Rites Saturday
William Walker Phillis, 77, resident of Independence since 1925, died at 6 o’clock Wednesday night at his home, 1020 W. Maple. He had been in failing health for some time. Funeral services are to be at 2 pm Saturday at the Webb Funeral Home. The Rev. Hobart Hilyard, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Sunnyside Cemetery at Caney.

Mr. Phillis was born on September 1, 1884, in Cambridge, Ohio a son of John and Julia (Thomas) Phillis. The family moved to Caney in 1905. For 17 years, Mr. Phillis was an employee of the Cities Service Gas Company.

In 1912, he and Myrtle I. Hooper were united in marriage at Bartlesville. They moved to Independence in 1925. Mr. Phillis was employed as a grocery clerk until his retirement.

Surviving with the widow, Myrtle, of the home are two daughters, Mrs. Evelyn P. Faulkner of this city, and Mrs. Eleanor M. Baird, Fairfield, Calif. Four brothers, Charles, Howard, and Clarence Phillis of Chicago and Fred Phillis, Ventura, Calif. also survive. Mr. Phillis was a member of the First Methodist Church.

“William Phillis Dies Wednesday, Rites Saturday,” obituary, Independence Reporter (Independence, Kansas) Reporter, Feb 1962.

William Walker Phillis Documentation with transcripts/abstracts
William Walker Phillis descendant DNA matches

Endnotes

1. Guernsey County, Ohio, Probate court, Record of Births, p. 16, no. 51, William W. Phillis.
Phillis, William W. Date of Birth: 1 Sept 1884. Place of Birth: Cambridge,
Guernsey County, Ohio. Color: White: Name of father: John Phillis. Name of mother:
Julia Thomas. Residence of Parents: Cambridge Twp. Reported by: Parents.

Also, Guernsey County, Ohio, Birth Record Index Card, William W., 1 Sept 1884.
Parents: John Phillis and Julia Thomas. Birthplace: Cambridge Township.
Register: vol. 2, p. 16. Registered: 1885.

Also, “John P. Phillis, Julia Phillis and Wm. Phillis Visit Mrs. Thomas,” news article, Cambridge Herald (Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio), 26 Feb 1885, p. 3, col. 3.

Also, Julia Thomas Phillis’ brothers, William and Walker, were in the family household in 1870.
1870 U.S. census, Center Twp, Guernsey County, Ohio, population schedule, page 7, dwelling 54, family 57, Jane Thomas household.
– Jane Thomas, age 53, born in Ohio
– Mary, age 24, born in Ohio
– William, age 23, born in Ohio, farm laborer
– Emma, age 13, born in Ohio
– Julia, age 11, born in Ohio
– Walker, age 8, born in Ohio

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2. 1880 U.S. census, Cambridge Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 64, p. 58 (penned), sheet 40 (stamped), dwelling 541, Jemima Phillis household.
– Jemima Phillis, age 62, born in Pennsylvania
– John, age 23, son, farmer, born in Ohio
– George, age 20, son, works on farm, born in Ohio

Also, 1870 U.S. census, Center Twp, Guernsey County, Ohio, population schedule, page 7, dwelling 54, family 57, Jane Thomas household.
– Jane Thomas, age 53, born in Ohio
– Mary, age 24, born in Ohio
– William, age 23, born in Ohio, farm laborer
– Emma, age 13, born in Ohio
– Julia, age 11, born in Ohio
– Walker, age 8, born in Ohio

Also, “John P. Phillis, Julia Phillis and Wm. Phillis Visit Mrs. Thomas,” news article, Cambridge Herald (Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio), 26 Feb 1885, p. 3, col. 3.

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3. 1900 U.S. census, Cambridge Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 3, sheet 27-A, dwelling 223, family 223, John P. Philis.
– John P. Phillis, head, age 43, married 16 years, born Sept 1856 in Ohio
– Julia, wife, age 48, married 16 years, 6 children born and living, born Mar 1859 in Ohio
– Will, son, age 15, born Sep 1884 in Ohio
– Charlie S, son, age 14, born Jul 1886 in Ohio
– Fred, son, age 11, born Aug 1888 in Ohio
– Boyce, son, age 9, born June 1890 in Ohio
– Howard, son, age 6, born Aug 1893 in Ohio
– Ralph, son, age 3, born Aug 1896 in Ohio

Also, “W. W. Phillis Entertains Friends,” news article, Cambridge Jeffersonian (Cambridge, Ohio), 13 Mar 1902, p. 1, col. 4.

Also, Illustrated Atlas of Guernsey County, Ohio (Wooster, Ohio : Atlas Publishing Company, 1902), p. 27, Cambridge Township, J. C. Phillis.

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4. “Willie and Charlie Phillis Head West to Kansas and Missouri,” news article, Cambridge Jeffersonian (Pleasant Valley, Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio), 12 May 1904, p. 8, col. 3.

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5. “J. C. Phillis of Cambridge Township Sells Farm to Mr. Anderson,” news article, Cambridge Jeffersonian (Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio), 9 Mar 1905, p. 4, col. 5.

Also, “Farewell Dinner Held for Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Phillis,” news article, Cambridge Jeffersonian, (Pleasant Valley, Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio), 23 Feb 1905, p. 1, col. 6.

Also, “Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Phillis and Family Begin Move to Kansas” news article, Cambridge Jeffersonian (Pleasant Valley, Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio), 9 Mar 1905, p. 1, col. 3.

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6. 1905 Kansas state census, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, p. 5, dwelling 43, family 43, J. C. Phillis; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, 1905 Kansas Territory Census, roll: ks1905_104.
– J. C. Phillis, age 48
– J. A. Phillis, age 45
– W. W. Phillis, age 20
– C. S. Phillis, age 18
– Fred, age 16
– Boyce, age 14
– Howard, 11
– Ralph, age 9
– Clarance, age 3

Also, “W. W. Phillis Visits Friends in Caney,” news article, The Dewey World (Dewey, Oklahoma), 2 Dec 1909, p. 5, col. 2.

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7. 1910 U.S. census, Dewey Township, Washington County, Oklahoma, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 255, sheet 19B, dwelling 389, John C. Phillis household.
The family was living on Cherokee Street.
– John C. Phillis, head, age 54, married 27 years, born in Ohio
– Julia A., wife, age 50, married 27 years, 7 children born and living, born in Ohio
– Howard, son, age 16, single, born in Ohio
– John B., son, age 19, single, born in Ohio
– Ralph R., son, age 13, single, born in Ohio
– Clarence E., son, age 18, single, born in Ohio

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8. “W. W. Phillis Guests of Friends in Caney,” news article, The Dewey World (Dewey, Oklahoma), 3 Sep 1908, p. 6, col. 3.

Also, “Mrs. J. C. Phillis and Son, W. W., Visit Near Wichita, Kansas,” news article, The Dewey World (Dewey, Oklahoma), 21 Oct 1909, p. 5, col. 3.

Also, “A Family Reunion, Chas. S. and J. B. Phillis Return,” news article, The Dewey World (Dewey, Oklahoma), 2 Dec 1909, p. 8, col. 1.

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9. 1910 U.S. census, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, ward 2, enumeration district (ED) 154, sheet 18-B, dwelling 384, family 494, W. T. Lynn household, Wm Phillis, boarder.
– Wm Phillis, age 24, single; born in Ohio, father’s birthplace Iowa, mother’s birthplace Ohio; occupation; workman, pump station.
Note: Father’s birthplace is incorrect.

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10. “Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935”, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, William W. Phillis-Maggie Maude Graves, 13 Jul 1911.

Also, “Phillis-Graves Marriage License,” news article, Evening Star (Independence, Kansas), 13 Jul 1911, p. 2, col. 2.

“Phillis-Graves Marriage License,” news article, Independence (Kansas) Daily Reporter, 13 Jul 1911, p. 5, col. 3.

“W. W. Phillis in Independence,” news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 14 Jul 1911, p. 8, col. 1.

“Graves-Phillis,” marriage announcement, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 14 Jul 1911, p. 1, col. 2.

“William W. Phillis and Maude M. Graves Wed,” marriage announcement, The Dewey Sentinel (Dewey, Oklahoma), 28 Jul 1911, p. 8, col. 3.

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11. “Maggie Maude Graves Phillis,” obituary, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 04 Apr 1913, p. 8, col. 1.

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12. “Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Phillis Visit Relatives in Dewey,” William and Maude Phillis news article, The Caney News (Caney, Kansas), 16 Feb 1912, p. 6, col. 4.

Also, “Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Phillis Visit David Hooper Family,” news article, Caney (Kansas) Chronicle, 28 Jun 1912, p. 7, col. 2.

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13. Maggie Maude Grave Phillis’ illness: “Mrs. W. W. Phillis Ill,” Maude Graves Phillis news article, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 7 Jun 1912, p. 4, col. 2.

Death: “Maude Phillis Dies,” death notice, Coffeyville Weekly Journal (Coffeyville, Kansas), 28 Mar 1913, p. 6, col. 1.

Funeral: “Maude Graves Phillis,” funeral notice, Cherryvale Republican (Cherryvale, Kansas), 26 Mar 1913, p 1, col. 3.

Obituary: “Maggie Maude Graves Phillis,” obituary, The Caney Chronicle (Caney, Kansas), 04 Apr 1913, p. 8, col. 1.

Burial: Headstone reads: Maude M. Wife of / W. W. Phillis / Mar. 26, 1884 / Mar. 23, 1913
Find A Grave, memorial 18151978, Maude M. Graves Phillis (184–1913), Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas.

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14. Washington County, Oklahoma, Marriage Records, p. 278, Phillis–Hooper, 11 Oct 1913.

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15. “Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935,” Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, Fred E. Phillis–Mabel Hooper, 19 May 1909.

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16. William Phillis was noted as having one eye on his draft registration card. United States World War I Draft Registration Card, William Walker Phillis, serial no. 2145, Local Draft Board no. 1, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas.

Myrtle Hooper Phillis had vision in only one eye, personal knowledge of the author; cause of blindness was told to her by her grandmother, Myrtle Ivy Hooper Phillis.

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17. 1915 Kansas state census, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, p. 14, dwelling 312, W. W. Phillis; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, 1915 Kansas Territory Census, roll: ks1915_155.
– W. W. Phillis, age 30
– Myrtle Phillis, age 28
– Eleanor Phillis, age 2
– Doyle Hooper, age 11

Also, 1920 U.S. census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 195, sheet 5-B, dwelling 126, W. W. Phillis household.
-W. W. Phillis, head, age 35, laborer, born in Ohio
– Myrtle, wife, age 33, born in Kansas
– Eleanor, daughter, age 7, born in Kansas
– Doyle Hooper, boarder, age 16, born in Kansas

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18. Oklahoma State Board of Health, birth certificate 301, Jefferson Township, Washington County, Evelyn Lee Phillis, 25 Sept 1923; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

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19. 1930 U.S. census, Cedar Township, Altoona, Wilson County, Kansas, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 103-1, sheet 1-B, dwelling 24, family 20, William W. Phillis household.
– William W. Phillis, head, age 44, Field manager, City Service Gas, born in Ohio
– Myrtle, wife, age 42, born in Kansas
– Eleanor, daughter, age 16, born in Kansas
– Evelyn, daughter, age 6, born in Oklahoma

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20. Marriage Records of Montgomery County, Kansas, no. H 13421, Baird-Phillis, 1939; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

Also, 1940 U.S. census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 63-29, sheet 5-B, household 121, William Phillis household. Note: Census states residence was 308 N. 9th, however, they lived at 313 N. 9th [photos have house number visible; house has been torn down].
– William Phillis, head, age 55, laborer, born in Ohio
– Myrtle, wife, age 52, born in Kansas
– Evelyn Lee, daughter, age 16, born in Oklahoma
– Hanley Baird, son-in-law, clerk, retail shoe store, born in Kansas
– Eleanor M., daughter, bookkeeper, gas company, age 26, born in Kansas

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21. Marriage Records of Montgomery County, Kansas, Marriage License no. J 49229 with return, Faulkner-Phillis, 1943; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

Also, 1950 Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas City Census, population schedule 2, line 1, William W. Phillis household; State Board of Agriculture, population schedule and statistical rolls, Kansas State Historical Society, Archives Division, Topeka, Kansas, Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls, Cities (1919-1961), reel no. 31984_254726.
– William W. Phillis, 108 W. Sycamore, 2 in family

Also, 1950 Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas City Census, population schedule 2, line 2, Ernest Faulkner household, 4 in family; State Board of Agriculture, population schedule and statistical rolls, Kansas State Historical Society, Archives Division, Topeka, Kansas, Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls, Cities (1919-1961), reel no. 31984_254726.
– Ernest Faulkner, 108 W. Sycamore, 4 in family

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22. 1961 Kansas state census, Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, population schedule, line 10, William Phillis; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, Schedules and Statistical Rolls: Counties (1953-1979), reel no. 43877_343846.
– William Phillis, age 76
– Myrtle Phillis, age 74

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23. William Walker Phillis photos, from the photo collections of Evelyn Phillis Faulkner and Eleanor Phillis Baird; privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.
– W. W. Phillis with grandson, Bob Faulkner, Independence, Kansas, 1944.
– William Walker Phillis, Independence, Kansas, photo dated Oct. 1944.
– W. W. Phillis and unknown person, Independence, Kansas, 24 Oct 1951.
– W. W. and Myrtle Phillis, Independence, Kansas, not dated, ca. 1950s.
– W. W. Phillis, Eleanor Phillis Baird, Hanley Baird, Myrtle Hooper Phillis, Independence, Kansas, 23 June 1952.
– W. W. and Myrtle Phillis with grandchildren, Bob and Karen Faulkner, Independence, Kansas, ca. 1953.
– W. W. Phillis and unknown person, Independence, Kansas, 24 Oct 1951.
– W. W. and Myrtle Phillis, Independence, Kansas, 11 Apr 1948.
– W. W. Phillis and unknown person, Independence, Kansas, 24 Oct 1951.
– W. W. Phillis and son-in-law, Hanley Baird, Independence, Kansas, ca. 1950s.
– W. W. Phillis and Myrtle Hooper Phillis with Fred Phillis (brother of W. W.) and Mabel Hooper Phillis (sister of Myrtle), Nov. 1958,
– W. W. and Myrtle Phillis, Independence, Kansas, ca. 1953.
– William Walker Phillis, Independence, Kansas, Dec. 1947.
– William Walker Phillis, Independence, Kansas, photo dated Dec. 1947.
– W. W. and Myrtle Phillis, ca. 1950s.
– W. W. Phillis with grandchildren, Bob and Karen Faulkner, Independence, Kansas, 6 Apr 1947 (handwriting of Evelyn Phillis Faulkner).

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24. Kansas State Board of Health, Montgomery County, certificate of death, no. 62 002735 (1962),
William Walker Phillis, 7 Feb 1962; Faulkner-Hull Family Papers, privately held by Kimberli Faulkner Hull.

Also, “William Phillis Dies Wednesday, Rites Saturday,” obituary, Independence Reporter (Independence, Kansas) Reporter, Feb 1962.

Also, Find A Grave, memorial 18151978, William Walker Phillis (1884–1962), Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas.

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Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, author, “William Walker Phillis,” Cool Adventures (https://cooladventures.com/genealogy/william-walker-phillis-1884-1962/: published 2021).

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