From Gilbert Cope and Henry Graham Ashmead, eds., Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, New York and Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1904, p. 355:
“Joseph Brenholtz Phipps, a leading farmer and public-spirited citizen of Uwchlan township, Chester county, is a son of Thomas D. Phipps, who was born in 1830, on the farm adjoining the one which his son now occupies. His early life was spent chiefly in Chicago, where he followed the carpenter’s trade. At the age of twenty-two he returned to Pennsylvania, where he entered upon the life of a farmer in Uwchlan township, in his native county. He settled on the farm which is now the home of his son, and there passed the remainder of his life, devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. He possessed in a high degree the confidence of his neighbors, and was elected to various township offices, among them that of school director. He married Phoebe, daughter of John and Margaret Loomis, of St. Mary’s. The former was a farmer and carpenter, and the latter a daughter of a native of Chester county, where he engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps were the parents of the following children: Joseph Brenholtz, mentioned at length hereafter; Mary, who is the wife of Charles Streamer, pastor of the Lutheran church, at Lionville, and has one daughter, Phoebe; and Thomas J., who has for about six years held the position of engineer at the lead mines connected with the asphalt works, and is a member of Mount Pickering Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 446. Mr. Phipps, the father of this family, died in 1890, at the age of sixty years, leaving behind him a nam e which had long been respected in Chester county, his father Jonathan Phipps, having also been a native of that, the most ancient county of Pennsylvania.
“Joseph B. Phipps, son of Thomas D. and Phoebe (Loomis) Phipps, was born January 22, 1871, on the farm which is now his home, and received his preparatory education at the deservedly famous school presided over by Captain Abram Fetters, afterward attending the State Normal School at West Chester. Choosing, in according with the traditions of his race, to devote himself to agricultural pursuits, he has for a number of years led the life of a skillful, enterprising, prudent and consequently successful farmer, and has at the same time entered with zeal into the work of advancing the best interests of the township. So convinced are his neighbors of his ability and readiness to serve them, that they have at different times elected him to the offices of auditor and school director. His political affiliations, like those of his ancestors, are Democratic. He is a member of Mount Pickering Lodge, No. 446, F. and A. M., and also of Pilgrim Lodge, No. 455, I. O. O. F. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church.
“Mr. Phipps married Elizabeth, daughter of Israel and Mary (Kurtz) Fry, the former a grain and flour merchant of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps are the parents of one son, Harris L. Phipps.”
Phipps Genealogy 