Elijah Hughes

As printed in 1905

ELIJAH HUGHES was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, November 4, 1777, and died about 1845. He was married about 1800 to Sarah Muchner, who was born in the same county May 5> 1780, and died about 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were descendants respectively of Welsh and German ancestors.’ Mr. Hughes was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on the business in his native state for a few years before coming to Ohio in 1816. Upon his arrival here he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Liberty township, this county, from Peter Lesourd, where he settled and for about seven years tilled the soil in connection with his trade, after which he gave up his forge and turned his attention entirely to farming and stock dealing. He was a prominent citizen, and was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the family of Elijah Hughes there were seven children who grew to maturity: Eliza, Rachael. Daniel, Micajah, Christopher, Philip and Joshua.

Of the sons, Daniel, born June 27, 1805, died July 14, 1884, received a limited education and was brought up to agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age, when he went to Indiana and located one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Wabash, but soon tired of it and returned to Ohio. In March, 1833, he was married to Anna B. Kain, a native of New Jersey, born in 1805. After his marriage Mr. Hughes, in company with his brother Micajah. located on sixty acres of land which was unimproved, and for seven years they owned all things in common. He purchased more land at various times until his farm contained five hundred acres. He also owned three hundred acres in the vicinity of Kyle’s Station. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hughes were the parents of four children, of whom three attained their majority: Mary Jane, Mrs. Job Mulford; Elijah and Samuel Kain. The latter are residents of Lemon township and live on a well improved farm of five hundred and fifty acres, including their father’s old homestead, where they have been associated in partnership for many years as extensive dealers in cattle, in which business they have been successful. In 1891 they platted the Lakeside addition to Middletown, consisting of a fine tract of twenty acres, lying in the northern part of the city. Samuel is a director in the Miami Valley National Bank of Hamilton. He was married in March, 1885, to Miss H. B. Boudinet, daughter of the late Joseph Boudinet, of Lemon township.

Micajah, the second son of Elijah and Sarah Hughes, was born January 25, 1807, and died in August, 1883. His wife was Phoebe Cassidy, a native of Butler county, to whom were born ten children, six sons and four daughters. His son, Joseph B., resides in New York city, where he is a prominent capitalist, and was consul to Birmingham, England, under the administration of President Cleveland. Micajah Hughes was a prosperous farmer of Liberty township and for twenty years he was president of the First National Bank of Hamilton.

Christopher, the next son, was born December 12, 1813. On February 6, 1838, he was married to Eliza A. Young. He was a noted political leader and fought strenuously for his party, the Democratic, from his majority till his death. He was endowed with more than ordinary natural ability. Clear in his judgment, and decidedly firm in his convictions, enterprising and public-spirited, he acquired great influence, and for many years occupied a prominent place in social and political circles. He was four times elected to the legislature, serving eight years. He took especial delight in agricultural pursuits, and for many years was connected with the county agricultural society, and for a long time was a county commissioner. He took an active part in securing the location of the Short Line Railroad (now known as the Big Four) from Dayton to Cincinnati. He possessed high principles of honor, and though strong in his likes and dislikes, was by no means revengeful. He was very determined in his efforts to accomplish any object he believed to be right, but whenever unsuccessful he took his defeat like a philosopher. He was a sincere and steadfast friend and much esteemed citizen.

Philip Hughes was born in Liberty township, October 19, 1820, and was married on May 5, 1847, to Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Isaac and Charity (Garwood) Rose, who was born in Liberty township, February 26, 1827. To them were born two children, Rosa, born September 4, 1845. who became the wife of Linus P. Clawson, and Emma, born May 12, 1852. Mr. Hughes was a prominent stockbreeder and farmer. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Hamilton and was a director of that institution for several years. He was also one of the organizers of the Butler County Fire Insurance Company. He was a stockholder and director for some time in the Union Central Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati, and he held positions of trust and honor in Fairfield and Liberty townships.

Joshua E. Hughes, the youngest child of Elijah and Sarah Hughes, was born in Liberty township January 6, 1823. In December, 1848, he was married to Mary Ann Legg, bom May 18, 1828. To them were born two children. Frank M. was born

May 22, 1849, and Charles L. was born May 23, 1851. The latter, who was a prominent farmer residing near Monroe, died about four years ago. Frank M. resides at Hughes’ Station, where he is a wealthy land owner. He is also president of the Hamilton Home Telephone Company. He was married first to Christiana Swearingen, who died, and then he married Hannah Shafor, the daughter of Peter Shafor. Joshua Hughes was a wealthy agriculturist and was vice-president of the First National Bank for several years, and succeeded to the presidency after the death of Asa Shuler, which position he retained until his death.

As printed in Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.