My Genealogy Hound

JAMES HARVEY HUGHES, for many years identified with the interests of Clark County as one of its leading agriculturists, and as the proprietor and manager of a valuable stone quarry, now lives in retirement from active business, having rented his farm and leased his quarry, both of which are within the incorporated limits of Springfield, where he makes his home in the fine residence that he has erected on his homestead. He is the son of a former well-known early settler of the county, and comes of fine old pioneer stock in other directions.

Mr. Hughes is a native of this State, born in Clinton County, May 15, 1819. His father, Capt. David Hughes, was a Kentuckian by birth, and his father, Jesse Hughes, a Virginian, while the great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Ireland, who came to this country in Colonial times and settled in Virginia, where he passed the remainder of his life. The grandfather of our subject was reared in his native State. He was a man of marked decision of character, a deep thinker, and possessed a sound, well-balanced intellect. He was an Abolitionist, and as men of his sentiment were not regarded with a very kindly spirit in the Old Dominion, he left that State for Kentucky, where he made his appearance in the early days of its settlement. About 1803 he crossed the Ohio into this State, and was one of the first pioneers to locate in Clinton County, settling there some years before the county was organized. A man of his presence and talent could not fail to make an impression on the public life of his adopted State, and he soon took a prominent place among his fellow-pioneers, and from the “History of Ohio,” published by Henry Howe, we learn that he was one of the first associate judges of Clinton County; and that the first court ever held in that section was convened in his barn. He was on the bench twenty-six years, presiding with noted dignity and ability, and was finally succeeded by his son, Jesse. He made his home at Wilmington, the county seat, where he died full of age and honor. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Drake, and she is supposed to have been a native of Virginia, and of English antecedents, numbering among her ancestors the illustrious Sir Francis Drake.

The father of our subject was very young when he came to Ohio with his parents. That was the first year of Ohio’s Statehood, and it was not far advanced in civilization. The pioneers had not made much headway in its primeval forests, and deer, bears, wolves, and other wild animals still roamed across the country at will. He grew to manhood in the wilds of Clinton County, remaining there until 1828. In that year he came to Clark County and cast his lot with its early pioneers, locating east of the city of Springfield, not far away. He resided there many years and then bought the farm where our subject resides, purchasing one hundred and twenty-three and three-fourth acres at $6.62 1/2 per acre. The land was well-timbered and the family occupied the two log cabins that then stood on the place. There were no railroads or canals here, and consequently, no markets for farm products, except at the distilleries. At the time of his death, July 19, 1870, he had cleared and improved a valuable farm, and was numbered among the substantial citizens of the place. He was a man of sterling worth, possessing in a large degree those characteristics that had marked his father as a man of more than ordinary ability. He was a good citizen, and at the time of the War of 1812 raised an independent company, of which he was chosen Captain, and he tendered the services of the company to the Government, which were gratefully received, and he and his brave men acting independently, fought throughout the war, winning an honorable record for efficiency, daring in battle, and gallantry at all times and places. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Emily Whitsett. She was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of one of its pioneers, Joseph Whitsett, a native of England. During the last years of her life she was a welcome inmate of the home of her son, our subject, dying here August 18, 1886, aged eighty-five years and three months.

James H. Hughes, of whom we write, was but nine years old when he came with his parents to this county, and twelve years old when they settled where he now lives. At that time Springfield was but a village and a mile distant from his home, and he has witnessed its steady growth until it has become a flourishing city with upwards of forty thousand inhabitants, and his farm is now included within its limits. He was bred to agricultural pursuits and followed farming many years, and in connection with it operated a quarry, which was opened on his farm as early as 1812, and from which he has sold a large quantity of fine building stone. He has erected four frame houses and a brick house on his land, in one of which he dwells. He has his farm rented and his quarry leased, as before mentioned, and simply looks after his investments.

Mr. Hughes was married January 20, 1870, to Miss Kate Howard, in whom he finds a true wife, and to them have come four children, namely: Ada, Mabel, Howard and Irene. Mrs. Hughes is a native of King’s County, Ireland, born January 7, 1843. Her father, Thomas Howard, was from Queen’s County, but died in King’s County, his death occurring in 1849. The maiden name of his wife was Julia Quinlan. She was of Irish birth and died in King’s County in 1848. About a year after her father’s death Mrs. Hughes came to this country with a neighboring family, and resided in Toronto until 1858, when she came to Springfield, and has lived here ever since.

Nearly a life-long resident of Clark County, Mr. Hughes is well known, and in his career as a practical agriculturist, as a thrifty business man, and as a citizen who has thus materially benefited the home of his adoption, he stands well in the estimation of his fellow-citizens.