John Finis Philips was born in Boone County, Missouri, on December 31, 1834. Admitted to the bar in 1857, Philips practiced in Georgetown, Missouri, until the Civil War began. He served as a member of the Missouri Convention in 1861, and was commissioned colonel of the 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry on May 1, 1862. The regiment was primarily engaged in the pursuit of guerillas throughout the state of Missouri.

Philips, continuing his political career, left the regiment on occasion. He attended a meeting of the board of curators of the University of Missouri, for instance, and was present at the 1863 Missouri State Convention. He returned to the 7th and took a prominent role in the pursuit of General Joseph Shelby during his Missouri raid in 1863.

In 1864 the 7th was involved in the campaign against General Sterling Price during his Missouri raid, and Philips assumed command of a brigade. He was mustered out of the service in March 1865.

Philips served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1875-1877 and again from 1880-81. Ironically, in August 1883 Philips agreed to defend former Confederate guerrilla Frank James when the latter was indicated for complicity in the murder of a railroad conductor. James was acquitted.

He also served as judge of the western district of Missouri from 1888 until he retired in 1910. Philips died on March 13, 1919, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Carte-de-Visite by Troxell & Brother, St. Louis, Mo.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31832