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MONONGALIA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
PJSTON@aol.com
December 2, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II
pg 91+92
Samuel A. Phillips passed the period of his boyhood and early youth at
Sycamore and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and in the meanwhile profited duly by
the advantages of the public schools. He early gained practical experience in
connection with his father's farming and quarrying operations, and in 1894 he
found employment in a jewelry establishment at Waynesburg. In 1896 he there
initiated his independent business career by opening a photographic studio.
In 1895 he became a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and upon the
outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898 he gave up his business to enter
the nation's service as a member of Company K, Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry. This was the only Pennsylvania regiment assigned to service in the
Philippine Islands, and it landed in Manila shortly after the famous victory
of admiral Dewey in that port. The regiment later became known as "The
Fighting Tenth," was associated with the forces of Dewey and took part in the
battle of Manila, which city capitulated. By general orders August 13, 1898,
the Tenth Pennsylvania was retained in service in the Philippine Islands and
became a part of the land forces operating against the insurgent natives upon
the insurrection which began February 4, 1899. During this campaign the
regiment took an active and important part in operations, and on one occasion
it was on duty seventy days without relief. In July, 1899, it was relieved
from active duty and ordered home. The return voyage was made by way of Japan
to San Francisco, from which port the original voyage had been made, and at
San Francisco the regiment disbanded in August, 1899, Mr. Phillips having
been mustered out with the rank of corporal. Upon the reorganization of the
regiment as a part of the Pennsylvania National Guard be became first
sergeant of Company K, of which office he continued the incumbent until his
removal to West Virginia.
In 1902 Mr. Phillips came to Morgantown, this state, and established a
dancing academy, and he built up a prosperous and representative business in
the teaching of dancing. He continued his academy until 1906, and he had
entered the music business also, this enterprise having grown to such
proportions that he found it expedient to give it his undivided time and
attention. His original music store was in a room 15 x 30 feet in dimensions
on Pleasant Street, near High Street, and here he installed Baldwin pianos
and a stock of Victor and Edison phonographs. In 1908 the business had so
expanded that he found larger quarters imperative. He removed to the Grand
Theater Building on Walnut Street, and in 1911, for the same reason that had
prompted his former change of location, he removed to the White apartment
building on High Street. In 1915 further increase of business led to his
removal to his present fine headquarters at 374 High Street, where he has one
of the most attractive and well equipped music stores to be found in any city
of comparative population in the South. Here he utilizes more than 5,000
square feet of floor space, and an enlargement is contemplated at the time of
this writing, in 1921. Mr. Phillips still represents the same high-grade
musical instruments as at the beginning of his enterprise, and by reason of
his remarkable record in the sale of the Edison phonographs he had the
distinction of being chosen chairman of the Edison Dealers Phonograph
Convention held in New York City, June 9 and 10, 1921. In the banquet
incidental to this convention he and his wife occupied seats of honor at the
same table with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Edison, 1,500 Edison dealers having
been present at the convention.
Mr. Phillips was elected a member of the City Council of Morgantown in 1920,
and was instrumental in bringing about the adoption of the new city charter
in 1921. During the campaign to effect this action he served as chairman of
the general committee in charge of the same, and under the new charter he was
made chairman of the Board of Equalization and Review, in which capacity he
is now serving. During the World was period he took active part in all local
patriotic service, including that of the Red Cross. He is a vital and valued
member of the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the local
Kiwanis Club, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
September 7, 1905, Mr. Phillips wedded Miss Blanche M. Meeks, who was born
and reared at Morgantown, a daughter of the late John W. and Josephine (Low)
Meeks, the former of whom was born in this state, a son of Joseph Meeks, his
wife having been born in a western state, a daughter of William Low. Mrs.
Phillips is an active coadjutor of her husband in his business enterprise, to
which she devotes the major part of her time and attention. She is an active
member of the Methodist Church in her home city. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have
one son, Samuel Allen, Jr., born August 29, 1911.
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