JEFFERSON C. PHILLEY

Well Known Resident, for Many Years Prominent in Political Circles, Died at St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday

(1926)

   Jefferson C. Philley, for many years a well known insurance and business man here, died on Sunday, March 28, at the home of his son, Col. Clarence U. Philley in St. Joseph, Mo., following an illness of several months, due to a shock.

   Mr. Philley was born at McDonough 88 years ago last December, the son of Uriah Philley, who was a prominent farmer.  During his boyhood days he lived at home where he attended district school, and later engaged in helping his father manage his farm.  He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Betts and for a time they conducted the farm, later moving to McDonough village where he did some insurance business and where they resided for a few years.  In 1890 he moved to this village and resided in the Eccleston house on Clinton street.  Two years later he built the splendid residence on the corner of State and Columbia streets, now owned by Charles Purdy, and the family resided here for thirteen years when the property was sold to Mr. Purdy and Mr. Philley moved to the residence owned by him which he disposed of to Smith Eddy upon the death of his wife.

   After coming to this village Mr. Philley was actively engaged in writing insurance, representing the Security Mutual Life Insurance of Binghamton and in this field he was very successful winning numerous contests put on by the company.

   About ten years ago when his health began to break and he was unable to pursue his usual activities, but he was about town where he enjoyed many quiet hours with friends and in reading.

   He was an ardent and life-long Republican, and was always active in the party campaigns, being County Committeeman from his district for many years.  For a number of years he served as assessor.  His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln at the time he made his first run for President.

   He was a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 175, F. & A. M., joining on May 26, 1890 and attended the meetings whenever he was here.

   He was a member of the Baptist church and was a regular attendant at its services.  For the past few years he has spent the winter at the home of his son, Col. C. U. Philley, at St. Joseph, Mo,, but in the spring he always returned to his boyhood home to again renew old acquaintance and greet old friends, and one was sure that the greeting was genuine when he shook hands and expressed his pleasure at being in familiar surroundings once more.

   Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Eva P. Hatch, who resides in California and a son, Col. Clarence U. Philley of St. Joseph, Mo.  A sister, Mrs. David Jones, of McDonough also survives.

   The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Baptist church, Rev. R. A. Gates of Port Dickinson officiating.  The body was placed in the vault and in the spring burial will be made in the family lot at McDonough.

   The committal service at the vault was conducted by Oxford Lodge, No. 175.

NOTE:  DATE WAS HAND-WRITTEN ON THE ARTICLE.