Phillips

 

Chauncey Hatch Phillips was born in Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio on July 5, 1837, the son of Nelson and Almira. Chauncey was an eager youth and sought higher plains of life, teaching school, reading law, and various pursuits in the way of earning a livelihood. In 1862 he married Jane Woods and in 1864 took a steamer to California, spending ten years in San Francisco and then journeyed to Napa to teach. In a short while he joined the law office Hon. Chancellor Hartson and thereafter appointed the position of Deputy County Clerk. After this he was appointed Chief Deputy of Internal Revenue of the Fifth District. He served this position five years, until 1870. 

Here is the census record for that year, listing him as residing in San Jose.

By 1871 Mr. Phillips sought a new home in San Luis Obispo, and proceeded to organize a bank for this town, which until then had no such organization, the bank opening the 13th of December, 1871.

Chancey's resident in 1878 was in the northern part and some distance from his neighbors. A strange incident took place that year in where a someone stabbed him on his front porch, an apparent robber. That same year Mr. Phillips chose to retire from banking as manager of Bank of San Luis Obispo, during which time it had paid its stockholders $100,000 in dividends.

After leaving the bank he engaged in the business of real estate and insurance agency. A transaction with Mr. P.H. Dallidet landed the purchase of 8,100 acres known as the Rancho Morro y Cayucos in 1875.

In 1879 he commenced the publication of the Advocate, a newspaper which he edited and conducted for nearly a year. Mr. Phillips served four years on the town council, served as a school trustee and later as President of the Board of Education.

Here is the 1880 federal census. He is listed as living on South Marsh.

Here is a picture of Chauncey with his wife and two of their daughters in San Luis Obispo.

Mr. Phillips was presently aware of the coming of the railroad. Owning the San Miguelito rancho north of San Luis Obispo, and working with local bankers, entered into contract with the Southern Pacific Railroad and organized the West Coast Land Company.

Unfortunately, Chauncey Hatch Phillips died on Nov 2, 1902 in San Jose, CA of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 65.

Chauncey is buried in the Cypress Lawn Memorial Park which is located in Colma, San Mateo County, California.