John Hughes

JOHN HUGHES, ex-mayor of the city of Edna, Kansas, and at present engaged in farming in Elm Grove township, in section 33, township 34, range 19, was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, in 1841. He is a son of John and Mary (Watson) Hughes.

John Hughes, Sr., was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, where he carried on farming all his life. He married Mary Watson, who was also a native of that county, and they reared the following children, namely: John; Thomas and Margaret E., deceased; Samuel, who is a farmer in Union county, Kentucky; William, who lives in Kentucky; Isaac, who is a hotel-keeper in that state; Sarah A.; and George, deceased.

John Hughes, whose name heads this personal sketch, was reared on a farm, and his first business venture was in the dry goods line. He also farmed for some time in Kentucky Mr. Hughes removed to Kansas, October 2, 1874, and improved and entered a claim at that time. There was a cabin on the land, which was 12 by 14 feet in dimensions, in which he lived for a while. He was elected mayor of Edna, and served in 1898 and 1899, during which period he rented his farm. With the exception of the two years spent in Edna, he has made this farm his home since he located in the county. Mr. Hughes has given nearly all his time and attention to agricultural matters, but has managed to keep thoroughly informed on the affairs of the day. He has been an interested and active worker in all local enterprises, and is a very popular man in the community.

Mr. Hughes married Susie Froman. She was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have had two children, namely: George E.; and Mary L., deceased, who married W. W. Goodwin and had four children, - Mabel C., J. W., Arthur W., and Susie M.

Mr. Hughes is a Democrat, in politics. He has been township treasurer for two terms, and has served on the school board for twenty years. The subject of this sketch is a member of Edna Lodge, No. 345, A. F. & A. M., of Edna, Kansas. He helped to organize it, was a charter member and was its treasurer for eleven years. He had taken his dimit from Taylorsville Lodge, No. 210, of Taylorsville, Kentucky, where he was made a Mason in 1863. He and his family are members of the Baptist church, which Mr. Hughes helped to establish in Edna.