Helen Phillips was the 4th child of Michael Phillips, Sr. and Ave Rosena Sheperda. She moved to America with her parents in her 8th year. She was married to John Bowers and had two children, Rosa and Mary. John Bowers died on December 8th, 1857, at the age of 32. Helen Phillips Bowers later married Peter Shelb. They had three children: Peter, Helen, and Rosa.