Accompanied by his brother Leonard, in the month of May, 1833, came Pliny Phillips and family, and settled temporarily on the farm now owned by George Harper. In connection with his brother he erected a frame house, in which the two families resided for a short time. The two brothers hewed the logs, made the "shakes" (and had 'em, too), and framed and inclosed the house in eight days. They experienced all the hardships that usually fall to the lot of the pioneer. Sickness, caused by the miasma emanating from the stagnant marshes and decaying vegetable matter of the newly plowed land, grievances which are incident to the otherwise most healthy countries in America, visited them. But they did not despair. They went on clearing up their land and making the soil bring forth its increase until they became thoroughly acclimated, when they could lie back and sympathize with the new-comers, who were invariably similarly afflicted.

Pliny Phillips was born in Ontario county, New York, October 21, 1802, and was married to Miss Harriet Albright, a native of Benton, the same county and State, December 25, 1828. She was born October 23, 1805, and still lives on the homestead farm, in Commerce township, with her elder son, William Henry, and younger daughter, Katie.

Mr. Phillips was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and his services were frequently called into requisition in early days. He erected, for Ansley S. Arms, the first framed store ever built in Milford, which is still standing, after forty-one years of wear and tear. In religion, Mr. Phillips was for about forty years a Presbyterian. About fifteen years before his death, however, he began to be interested in the subject of spiritualism, and after an earnest and careful investigation he became a firm believer in it. Up to the time of Abraham Lincoln's nomination for the presidency he was a Democrat. From that time until his death, a strong Republican. On the 3d of February, 1870, the immortal part of Mr. Phillips was summoned to the spirit-land; and if a just and honorable life insures a blissful eternity, then such a felicity is now by him enjoyed. He left behind him a record which will long follow him, and no man can say aught derogatory to his general character. He left behind him a widow and eight children. The names of the latter are William Henry, Norton J., Syene M., Sarah Jane, Amy C, James Newton, and Katie. Of these, all are married except William Henry and Katie, and all reside in the State except Sarah J. and Norton J. ; the former of whom lives with her husband, in Iowa, and the latter in Indiana.

William Henry, eldest son of Pliny and Harriet Phillips, was born in Richmond, Ontario county, New York, October 29, 1829. He resides on the homestead farm, on which his father spent the last twenty-five years of his life. He cultivates the two hundred and thirty acres which the place contains, and gives his entire attention to agricultural matters. He is considered a good practical farmer and an honorable and upright citizen. For the last thirteen years he has been a Spiritualist, assuming that belief after much earnest investigation. In politics he is Republican, believing that the safety and perpetuity of our country are based upon Republican principles.