Thomas Wharton Phillips

Thomas Wharton Phillips (February 23, 1835 – July 21, 1912) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Early life Phillips was born near Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania, in that section of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, now included in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ephram Phillips (1795–1835) and Ann Phillips (1796–1866).

In 1906, Phillips was approached by his friend, Dr. Ely Zollars, for help in establishing a bible college in what was then the Oklahoma Territory. Mr. Phillips agreed to pay Dr. Zollars' salary for one year while his friend sought to secure a location for the school. Phillips became a longtime benefactor of the school which was initially called Oklahoma Christian University.

Personal life Phillips was twice married. His first marriage was in 1862 to Clarinda Hardman (1837–1866), the daughter of David Hardman and Nancy Rebecca (née Arter) Hardman. Together, they were the parents of:

After the death of his first wife, he remarried in 1871 to his late wife's younger sister, Pamphila Hardman (1844–1933). Together, they were the parents of: who married Mary Mayme Lusk in 1898. Thomas Wharton Phillips Jr. (1874–1956), also a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. Benjamin D. Phillips (1885–1968), who served as a member of the board of Citizens National Bank for 50 years. He married Undine Conant, and after her death, Mildred Welshimer.

Phillips died in New Castle on July 21, 1912. He was buried in Oak Park Cemetery, New Castle, Pennsylvania. The university closed in 1998, but Phillips Theological Seminary which separated from the university in 1987, continues to exist as of 2016.