John Finis Philips

John Finis Philips (December 31, 1834 – March 13, 1919) was a United States representative from Missouri and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Education and career Born on December 31, 1834, in the historical community of Thralls Prairie in Boone County, Missouri, Philips attended the common schools and the University of Missouri, then received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1855 from Centre College and read law in 1857. He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Georgetown, Missouri from 1857 to 1861. He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1861. He was a United States Army colonel commanding the Seventh Regiment of the Missouri Volunteer Cavalry from 1861 to 1865, during the American Civil War. He resumed private practice in Sedalia, Missouri from 1865 to 1880. He was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives of the 41st United States Congress from Missouri in 1868. He served as the Mayor of Sedalia. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1868. Notable combat experience