Goddie Phillipps Claimed by Death - Resident of Kalamazoo for 56 Years Was Native of Germany - Goddie Phillipps, 73, who during his residence here of 56 years, became one of Kalamazoo's best known residents, died at 1:15 Friday morning at his home, 212 East Lovell street. Twenty years ago, at the end of the era which marked the advent of prohibition, everyone in Kalamazoo knew Phillipps and liked him. Though retired from active business during these last 20 years, he had kept busy handling real estate and other holdings. He was in Detroit last week and walked downtown as recently as Monday. Native of Germany: Such well known old-time names in Kalamazoo as the American House, the Berghoff, and the Kalamazoo House are closely linked with the life and activity of Goddie Phillipps. Starting in the liquor business for himself in October 1890, he continued for 27 years, until finally cut off by the enactment of prohibition. Phillipps was born near Stuttgart, Germany, March 16, 1863. He came to Kalamazoo in September, 1880, joining his elder brother, John, who had been here several years. For his first two months here, he worked on a Texas township farm for Frederick Ott. Then he started working for the American House as a porter. From this humble start in Kalamazoo life, he worked out his own destiny and success. Funeral Tuesday: Eleven years after his arrival here, he still fondly remembered Miss Mary Ott, a lass in the Texas township home where he first resided. They were married March 11, 1891 and went to live at 316 East South street. Besides Mrs. Phillipps, three children survive; Goddie Jr., of Battle Creek and Edwin O. and Miss Mildred Phillipps who reside at home. Phillips joined the Elks lodge here in January 1900. He owned the first gasoline car operated in Kalamazoo and was owner of the first Buick in Kalamazoo. Funeral services will be held from the residence at 2 Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. Emanuel Mayer of Zion Evangelical Lutheran church officiating. He will be buried beside a little daughter, Marian, at Riverside cemetery, who died in 1905 at the age of 15 months. Source: Kalamazoo Gazette Dec 18, 1936