Joseph Phillips (Wisconsin politician)

Joseph Phillips (November 6, 1825 – September 13, 1906) was Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1870 to 1871. He was a Democrat.

For others of the same name, see Joseph Phillips.

Born in Alsace, France, Phillips came to Milwaukee in 1842. He started as a clerk in the general merchandise business and worked his way up to owning and operating his own general merchandise business, Phillips & End, with his business partner George End. After the Civil War, Phillips established a tannery which he sold to Pfister & Vogel Leather Co. in 1877. He then established and was a senior member of a general fire insurance firm, Phillips & Rebhan, until his death in 1906. With the help of his son-in-law August Rebhan, Phillips was able to develop the firm into the largest fire insurance company in Milwaukee.[1]

Joseph Phillips married Mary End and they had a son and a daughter, Charles H. Phillips and Elizabeth R. Phillips. Mary (End) Phillips died before Charles reached the age of ten. Charles H. Phillips earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and went on to become a successful lawyer, businessman, and politician. Elizabeth R. Phillips married prominent Milwaukee businessman August Rebhan (b. 6/22/1860 Racine, Wis.), and they had three children together: Adele M. Rebhan, Elsa A. Rebhan, and Raymond J. Rebhan.[2]

Phillips was interested and involved in politics from the early days of Milwaukee and was elected as mayor from 1870 to 1871. He also served on the Milwaukee Common Council and as City Treasurer.[3]

References
  1. Jerome A. Memoirs of Milwaukee County: From the Earliest Historical Times... Madison: Western Historical Association, 1909. Volume 2, pgs. 378-379
  2. Watrous, Jerome A. Memoirs of Milwaukee County: From the Earliest Historical Times... Madison: Western Historical Association, 1909. Volume 2, pgs. 550-551
  3. Milwaukee Mayors


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