My Genealogy Hound

HUGHES, HUGH W., far., Sec. 27; P. O. Fort Madison; son of Samuel Hughes, who was a son of Capt. John Hughes, born in Chester Co., Penn.; a carpenter by trade, but at the breaking-out of the Revolution, enlisted, and served through the entire campaign; came out as Captain; married, and had five sons and two daughters; the fourth son was Samuel H., who was born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1786; was raised a farmer; learned the carpenters’ trade, which he followed, in 1807, he married Mary, daughter of Hugh Workman, one of the early and prominent settlers of Borough Washington, Penn; she was born at the same place, same month and year as her husband; they had twelve children, six sons and six daughters; the eldest son, Hugh W., was born in Washington, Penn., in 1812; lived there until 16 years of age; learned the tanner’s trade, and worked as an employe until 20 years of age, then, with a cousin, Hugh W. Sample, engaged in general merchandising, at Dake’s Mill, seven miles from his native town; continued for four years, after which he engaged in farming on his father’s farm; in the fall of 1838, he visited the Western country; attended the land-sales at Burlington, as well as the Territorial Legislature, held there at that time, where he saw many of the notables of this Western country; purchased a tract of land, which afterward proved to be in Van Buren Co., which he afterward exchanged with his former partner in business, for property in Fort Madison; that he exchanged for the Hickory Grove farm; he returned to Pennsylvania, and the following January, married Miss Mary, daughter of Robt. McComb, whose biography appears elsewhere; she was born in Washington Co., Penn., in April, 1820; in October, 1840, they came to Lee Co., and settled on the Hickory Grove farm; in 1850, he sold out, and purchased the E. D. Ayers claim, which is known to be the oldest in this part of the county, where he now resides, and owns 280 acres, valued at $45 per acre. In 1842, his wife died, leaving one child — Robert, who died from disease contracted in the army, in January, 1863. In 1844, he married Ann Eliza, daughter of David Hillis, an early settler of Van Buren Co., from Washington Co., Penn. (in 1843), where she was born, April 18, 1820; they have five children — Mary, born in 1846; Martha, born in 1848; Charles H., born in 1851; Samuel F., born in 1853; Anna E., born in 1861. Democratic. Mr. and Mrs. H. and family are members of the Baptist Church at Fort Madison; he is one of the original members, and Deacon. He was County Commissioner in 1848 and 1849; afterward County Supervisor.