California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


EDWARD STRACHEY PHILLIPPS. To the discernment and far-sighted judgment of 
Edward Strachey Phillipps is due the establishment and upbuilding of the town of Sultana, Tu- 
lare county. After a comprehensive study of the conditions of the county and particularly of 
this section of it, he foresaw the need of a settlement at this point (then Alta Station, a point 
on the Santa Fe Railroad), and also the opportunity for advancement of the interests located 
here. He first purchased one acre of Hugh Logan, which was planted to orange trees, and on 
the site of the present mercantile establishment of Sultana built the first store which he opened 
December 25, 1899. The town he named in honor of the Sultana grapes which grow so pro- 
lineally in this section. Shortly afterward he secured a postoffice for the town and was named 
its first postmaster, which office he has held continuously since. In addition to his own home 
he built three other residences and another store building, and in various ways has added to the 
improvement and upbuilding of the best interests of the place. 

Born in London, Canada. January 12, 1868, he was the son of Capt. J. J. Winsloe Phillipps, 
a native of England. He held the office of captain in the Sixtieth Rifles (King's Corps), serv- 
ing in India, and also in Canada during the Fenian excitement. On account of ill health he 
resigned from the army, and until his death made his home in Torquay. Devonshire, England, on 
his country place. His wife, formerly Margaret Strachey, was born in England, where her death 
also occurred. Of their three sons, Ralph K. was a civil officer in Borneo, where his death oc- 
curred; Paul W. is located in London; and Edward Strachey is the subject of this review. He 
was reared to young manhood in Devonshire. England, receiving his education in St. Mark's 
College, at Windsor. In 1891 he deckled to locate in the United States and accordingly came 
to Iowa, and engaged in farming near Cedar Rapids. During the three years in which he 
was a resident of that state 'he made two trips back to his old home in England. In 1894 he 
came to California and in Auckland engaged in a mercantile enterprise, and shortly afterward 
secured the appointment of postmaster. He remained in that city until May, 1899, when, with 
his wife, he took a trip back to England. On their return to America their ship was wrecked 
on the rocks of Belle Island, in the Straits of Belle Isle, upon which they spent four nights 
and five days before being rescued. They finally signaled a cattle boat,' which took them into 
Montreal. Many of the passengers perished and all suffered untold horrors during that time. 
Upon his return to California he established Sultana, and since that time has made his home in 
this section. A short distance north of Sultana he owns forty acres of land devoted to alfalfa, 
fifteen acres east of Sultana, in vineyard and alfalfa ; forty acres at Orosi, principally in vines, 
while the balance of his land is devoted to orchard fruits. Through his own success he has 
induced others to seek a home here, many being willing to profit by his efforts. In addition to 
all that he has done for the commercial growth of Sultana, he has given his best efforts along 
educational lines, assisting in securing a school for the Sultana district, and always taking an 
active interest in the progress and welfare of the community. In 1902 he disposed of his inter- 
est in the store to a cousin, L. G. Uniacke. 

In Hanford, Kings county, Mr. Phillipps was united in marriage with Leora Campbell, who 
was born near Visalia, this county, a daughter of H. Campbell and Elizabeth ( Bacon ) Camp- 
bell. They are the parents of one child, Edward Strachey, Jr. In their religious affiliations 
the family are members of the Episcopal Church.