Came to Colorado in 1897 from Windsor, Missouri, where parents and brother remained. Entered service from Colorado. Member Company I, 1st Colorado Volunteers. On August 15, 1898 in the capture of Fort San Antonio at Manila he climbed to the rampart, pulled down the Spanish flag, and while raising the American flag was shot in the neck, after which Pvt. Richard Holmes finished raising the flag. Nicknamed Charley. Son of William H. Phenix of Johnson County, Missouri.