Jonas Altamont Phillips

The oldest of Arabella Solomon and Zalegman Phillips’ ten children, Jonas Altamont Phillips was born into a family well-known for its leadership in Jewish communal and civic life in nineteenth-century Philadelphia. He would follow in his father’s footsteps in many respects, though most notably, and like his younger brother Henry Mayer, in perusing a career in law. He studied classics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1822 and a master’s three years later. He apprenticed at his father’s firm and in 1826 was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. Thereafter he established his own practice, and would become one of Philadelphia’s most prominent lawyers.

In 1837 he married Frances Cohen of South Carolina, and they would have nine children. Again like his father, he became involved in local politics, serving as the soliciter of the Philadelphia Board of Health from 1841-54. In 1847-8 he was the Democratic candidate for mayor, though lost to John Swift. President Buchanan offered him a judgeship on the District Court, though Jonas turned down the position. He was an engaged member of congregation Mikveh Israel, and served on its board for many years.

One son, Henry Phillips, Jr. became a pioneering archeologist and numismatist, whose studies of American and European folklore and philology gained him international recognition.

Jonas Altamont Phillips

c. 1825–1840