Born in Wayne Township, Greene County, PA. He joined Co. D, 13th Minnesota Militia, as a private, which was organized on 13 Jul 1861 and headquartered at Lakeville, Dakota County, MN. On 23 Sep 1861 a meeting of Company D was held at Lakeville, MN, for the purpose of forming a military company to enlist in the 4th Minnesota Infantry. The vast majority, including David, agreed to this proposal and set off the next morning for Fort Snelling, MN. They enlisted for three years and were mustered in on 7 Oct 1861 with David as 6th Corporal. Soon after, Co. C proceeded to Fort Ripley, MN, and garrisoned that post until Mar 1862 when the regiment concentrated at Fort Snelling and moved to Benton Barracks, MO, in Apr 1862. Re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer at Huntsville, AL, on 1 Jan 1864 and was promoted to sergeant. While on his veteran's furlough he married Rachel Elizabeth Dilley at Eureka Township, Dakota County, MN, on 6 Apr 1864. This union would produce six children, four boys and two girls, all would live to adulthood except one of the girls. David was promoted to 1st Sergeant on 17 Dec 1864 during the Siege of Savannah, GA. The regiment marched in the Grand Review in Washington, DC, on 24 May 1865 and on 31 May 1865 began their move to Louisville, KY; arriving there on 4 Jun 1865. While at Louisville, 1st Sergeant Phillips was offered a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, he did not muster in, because to have done so he would have lost his enlistment bounty. The 4th Minnesota Infantry mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky on 19 Jul 1865. The Regiment then proceed to Fort Snelling, MN, to receive their final pay and discharge on 7 Aug 1865. A member of Canby Post No. 47 of Farmington, Dakota County, MN. Served the Post as Junior Vice Commander in 1886 and Commander in 1899, 1901 and 1911. His wife Rachel was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps (WRC). She died at Castle Rock, Dakota County, MN, on 21 Oct 1900. David would marry Jane "Jennie" Campbell, also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps (WRC), at Saint Paul, Ramsey County, MN, on 14 Nov 1901. By Apr 1913 they had moved to Washington. David would build two houses side-by-side in the 4100 block of South M Street in Tacoma, Pierce County, WA. He applied to have his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) reinstated and joined Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, WA, which was approved on 20 Sep 1913. Served as a Delegate representing the Department of Washington and Alaska at the 52nd National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) held 18-24 Aug 1918 in Portland, Oregon. Admitted to the Washington State Soldiers Home at Orting, Pierce County, WA, on 10 Jun 1915 and dropped on 16 Jan 1918. Readmitted to the Soldiers Home on 19 Jul 1919. Died at his home in Tacoma, WA.
Find a Grave memorial 52646173
47.20872, -122.47737
Cemetery Information
Cemetery Name
Tacoma Mausoleum
Cemetery Street
5302 S Junett St
Cemetery City
Tacoma
Cemetery Township
Cemetery County
Pierce
Cemetery State
WA
Grave Information
Cemetery Lot
Row E
Cemetery Section
9
Cemetery Grave Number
22
GAR Post
Custer Post 6
GAR Department
WA
Military Headstone ?
Headstone Needs Replacing ?
Headstone Needs Resetting ?
Private Headstone or Family Monument ?
No Stone or Marker Found ?
Grand Army of the Republic Flag Holder
Military Order of the Loyal Legion Flag Holder
Other Flag Holder
Medal of Honor
Cemetery Burial Records Checked ?
Image 1
Photo taken 27 May 2024 by Sister Tricia Bures and used with her permission. All rights reserved.
