Phillip and his brother Jacob married sisters, Logan girls, and after farming in Central Texas in Milam and Falls Counties for several years migrated to West Texas in a "wagon train" of some twenty wagons. Their brothers-in-law the Logans were in this migration and there was a Baptist minister by the name of Nicholson on this trip also. After some weeks they arrived at Anson, Texas where the Lawlis brothers elected to stay, but the Logans soon went on West to the Big Spring and Stanton areas. After living around Anson a few years Phillip Lawlis bought some land in Western Jones County, near the Fisher County line and settled there permanently. His first wife died shortly after arriving in Jones County and he left for a short time returning with a new wife, Elizabeth (Betty) who had one child, Georgia and was the mother of six other children. With this large family, Phillip prospered and as his children married, he encouraged and even helped them buy land in the "Lawlis Flat" area until they owned practically all of the flat land. His children from his first wife were George M., Louis, Homer, Edward Lawlis, Minnie (Green), Mattie (Jeffrey), Mary (Henry). His children from his second wife Betty were; John, Palmer(Dock), Woodrow, Otho Roy (Doak) Lawlis, Vernon Newton, and Sarah (Sipa), and Vera (Sexton).

Phillip was one of a family 16 children of Peter Benton and Sara Ann (Rhodes) Lawlis of Arkansas. Peter Benton Lawlis fought in the Civil war and was the son of James C. Lawlis and Elizabeth (Butler) of Indiana.

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It is with sorrow that we chronicle the death of Phillip W. Lawlis. He died at the local sanitarium in Merkel, Texas. He married Elizabeth Logan in 1884 and to this union seven children were born, namely - George, Mrs. Mary Dean, Mrs. Minnie Green, Mrs. Mattie Jeffrey, Louis, Home, and Edward Lawlis. After his wife's death, he married Mrs. Elizbeth McMillan to this union seven children were born - John, Mrs. Vera Sexton, Mrs. Sarah Sipers, Palmer, Woodrow, and Otho Ray, one having died in infancy. His wife died on 10 November 1925. He also leaves six brothers - Simon, Jake, Alfred, Jeff, Will, and Rev. Frank Lawlis; three sisters - Mrs. Alma Baker, Mrs. Emma Wilburn, Mrs. Annie McLendon. Brother Lawlis was converted and joined the Methodist Church at the age of 24. He was a Steward in the church for 38 years, District Stewart for 20 years, and trustee for 20 years. He was a progressive and successful farmer. Service was held at Lawlis Chapel, the church he helped found. Rev. W.C. Hinds officiated, assisted by Rev. L.E. Mouthcutt, Rev. R.V. Tooley, and Rev. Sam Young. The Masonic Lodge in Sylvester conducted the graveside rites.

Anson Western Enterprise
December 15, 1927