Among the representative men and pioneers of Milford township, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch holds a prominent position. Coming here as he did when a few straggling log houses constituted the entire settlement in what now comprises the township, and at a time when hard and persistent labor, hardship and trial, were the prime factors, not only of success, but even of life itself, he has witnessed the progress of the township, and has accomplished not a little himself towards its development.

Leonard Phillips was born in Ontario county, New York, March 26, 1811, whence his father emigrated from Massachusetts, seventy-eight years ago, with his family of six children. He died at the age of eighty-nine years and seven months, where he first settled, and doubtless now holds a higher and nobler place in the spirit world.

At the age of twenty-two years Leonard Phillips married Miss Rosetta Albright, and immigrated to Michigan in the month of May, 1833. In 1852 he sustained the loss of his wife, who had been to him a faithful companion and a true and loving wife and mother. He married a second time, his choice falling on Miss Henrietta Lapham, who is still living. He has twelve children living, all of whom enjoy good health, and are worthy representatives of worthy parents.

Mr. Phillips experienced considerable sickness when he first came to the country, but after becoming acclimated he has had no serious inconvenience, except on one occasion, when his life was almost despaired of by his friends, and he believes with them that had he not received assistance from the spirit world he would have "joined the white-robed throng" in the eternal hereafter.

Mr. Phillips is the only surviving pioneer who purchased land directly of the government. When he came in he was accompanied by his brother, his brother's wife, and their three children. They cleared up the farm afterwards owned by the Widow Harper, and now owned by Greorge Harper, on which they hewed the logs, made the shingles, framed and inclosed a log house, and moved into it in eight days.

He now owns one hundred and eighty-five acres of well-improved land, on which he has fine, substantial buildings, as can be seen by reference to the illustration elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Phillips is Democratic in politics, adhering to the old-time principles of Jacksonian Democracy. In religion he is a spiritualist, having embraced the belief of that body about eleven years since, after a thorough investigation of its merits as a belief. Finding it all he could wish, he has since been a firm advocate of its principles, and like the poet, believes, " There is no death : the stars go down To rise upon some fairer shore. And, bright in heaven's jeweled crown, They shine for evermore. And ever near us, though unseen, The dear immortal spirits tread. For all in God's great universe Is life. There are no dead.", Mr. Phillips is a man of sterling integrity, good judgment, and practical economy. He enjoys the respect and esteem of his neighbors, and altogether presents a fair type of the pioneer citizen.