Jesse S. Phillips
Jesse Snyder Phillips | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Independence, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 6, 1954 (aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, politician, insurance executive |
| Years active | 1894–1954 |
| Known for | Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department; President and Chairman of Great American Indemnity Company |
Jesse Snyder Phillips (May 4, 1871 – November 6, 1954) was a distinguished American attorney, politician, and insurance industry leader based in New York.
Life
Born on May 4, 1871, in Independence, New York, Phillips was the son of German immigrants originating from Darmstadt, Hesse. His early years were spent on a farm before relocating to Andover at the age of 15. After completing his education at Andover Union School in 1891, he pursued legal studies under Levi C. Van Fleet and subsequently obtained his LL.B. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1893. He gained admission to the New York bar in 1894 and initially practiced law alongside Van Fleet before launching his own legal practice in Andover from 1899 until 1912.
Phillips held the position of village attorney and was elected town supervisor in 1898, notably one of the youngest individuals to serve in that capacity within the county. As a member of the Republican Party, he represented Allegany County in the New York State Assembly from 1901 through 1911. His legislative work included efforts toward educational improvements and leadership as chairman of a committee examining the direct primary election system. In 1912, he moved to Hornell where he co-founded the law firm Phillips, Brown & Greene.
In 1915, Phillips participated as a delegate at the New York State Constitutional Convention and led the Committee on Library and Information. That same year, Governor Whitman appointed him Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department. He completed three terms in this role and served as president of the National Convention of Insurance Commissioners in 1917. Phillips resigned in 1921 to accept the position of general manager and counsel for the National Bureau of Casualty and Surety Underwriters, representing thirty prominent U.S. stock insurance companies.
Phillips relocated to Bronxville in 1922. He was elected president of the Great American Indemnity Company in 1926 and elevated to chairman of its board by 1933. Additionally, he held executive positions within Great American Insurance Company and its related entities. In that year, he also became a member of the State Insurance Board and was recognized as a fellow by the Casualty Actuarial Society.
His banking career included serving as vice-president and director of the First National Bank of Hornell until 1933 and holding the presidency of Burrows National Bank of Andover until its merger with Andover National Bank in 1934.
Phillips maintained affiliations with professional bodies such as the New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York. He was active in various social clubs and transitioned from Presbyterianism to join the Reformed Church of Bronxville. In 1902, he married Mary T. Cannon; together they had two children. Following her passing in 1939, he remarried Emily M. Rosebery in 1944.
Jesse Snyder Phillips passed away at his residence on November 6, 1954, and was interred at Kensico Cemetery.