D. M. Phillips, of the Tenth Civil District of Sumner County, is a native of Tennessee, his birth occurring in 1823. He is one of a family of seven children born to Martin and Sarah Phillips. The father, a native of South Carolina, was born in 1793, and at the age of fourteen years came to Tennessee, residing the first seven or eight years in Smith County. Later he removed to DeKalb County, where he died in 1867. His wife was a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1795; died in DeKalb County, this State, in 1885. The subject of this sketch made his home with his parents until the age of twenty-two years, when he began farming upon his own responsibility. In 1868 he moved to this county, purchasing the 600-acre farm where he now resides, to which he has since added considerable. Mr. Phillips is one of the best and most successful farmers and stock raisers in the county; is a Democrat and a worthy citizen. In 1862 he entered the Confederate service and was on detailed service until he was paroled, some thirteen months after his enlistment. In 1845 he married Susan Martin, who died in 1859, leaving one son -- Alexander T. In 1860 Mrs. Elizabeth (Turner) Morgan became his second wife, and to their union have been born five children: Minnie, Nelson M., Joe D., Anna and James M.