McHugh, John 1842 – 1897

MCHUGH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:20

Iowa Plain Dealer February 2, 1897, FP, C3,6

John McHugh Dead.
This event occurred January 30, at his late home in Cresco. Deceased was born in Canada, December 23, 1842, hence a little over 54 years of age at his death. His sickness covered a period of about two years. He came to Iowa in 1866, locating in Dubuque, soon thereafter moving to North McGregor, from there locating in Chickasaw county, removing to this county in 1877. During his residence in these two counties he has held several small offices, been member of the legislature and National Bank examiner. In the history of Howard county, at page 528, he said of himself “he is a warm friend, and a most enthusiastic enemy,'’ both which are now hushed forever within the narrow confines of the silent tomb. He leaves a widow and three children, two sons and a daughter to mourn their loss.
The funeral for John McHugh will be held Wednesday from the Catholic church.

Cordinator's note: John's gravestone has 1848 as his year of birth.

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 4, 1897 P 1 C 4

HON. JOHN M’HUGH.
Born Dec. 23d, 1842, Died Jan. 30th, 1897.
Intelligence came last Saturday that the long and desperate struggle which John McHugh has made for the last two years, against the great enemy of humanity, had come to an end, and he was at rest.
Our information as to the exact data of his life is meagre, and we can only write as we know him. Born December 23d, 1842, he was a little over 54 years of age. He came to Iowa in 1866, stopping for a while in Dubuque, then moving to North McGregor, and little later to Chickasaw, where he engaged in farming and banking, in both of which he was eminently successful. Being a man of more than average intellect, a student in many lines, and having many of the elements of a leader, he naturally took a deep interest in politics. Contrary to the trend of his nationality he allied himself with the Republican party: and having the ability as well as disposition to defend its principles, he was naturally led to the “stump,” and for many years no one in this section did better or more effective work as an orator or politician. The first recognition of his ability was in 1875 when he was elected to the General Assembly as Representative for Chickasaw county in the 16th G. A.
In 1877 he removed to Cresco, to find a larger field for his career as a banker. At the same time he broadened his range as a farmer, and soon established a stock farm that became noted as one of the largest and finest of its kind. The breeding of thoroughbred shorthorns commanded his most earnest attention; and he endeavored to get to the top. Through liberal purchases and wise judgment he soon became celebrated as a breeder of the highest type of this class of cattle. His herd, in time, became the best representative of the famous Cruikshank blood to be found, except in England; and after the death of Alexander Cruikshank and the dispersion of his herd there was none that outrivaled the John McHugh herd. The farm on which the herd was kept was then located near Kendallville, and through it, and representation he made regularly at our county fair, he became associated with us as allied in part, at least, to this county.
This led him into active association with the fine stock breeders of the state, and for many years he was one of the most active members of the Iowa organization, and at one time this zeal was recognized by his election to its Presidency.
In 1884 he was nominated and elected as Presidential elector for this district and, because he received the largest vote of any elector on the list, he was chosen as messenger to carry the vote of the state to Washington.
In 1888 he was a candidate before the Republican district convention for the Congressional nomination. There were several candidates for the place; bill the issue finally settled between Mr. J. H. Sweeney, of Osage, and Mr. McHugh. The decisive vote was J. H. Sweeney 88 9-16, John McHugh, 87 7-16, W. E. Fuller 1.
Mr. McHugh’s loyalty to his party was so great that this defeat neither soured his temper nor diminished his ardor. On the contrary his zeal in the presidential campaign of that year was especially noticed, and it greatly enlarged his wide circle of friends, Perhaps this more than any other cause, led to his appointment ns National Hank Examiner for Iowa, in 1889, by President Harrison—a position he held with credit to himself until he chose to voluntarily retire. His training in banking, and his experience in official life, led to his being chosen to take charge of the affairs of a Building and Loan Association in Des Moines whoso affairs had become entangled; but not long afterwards the first signs appeared of the disease which conquered him, and he returned to Cresco, to rest and fight for his life. Everything that medical aid could do was done; but without avail.
An acquaintance with him, and an experience covering many years, justifies us in saying he was a warm friend and a hearty hater—never cold or lukewarm. Consequently he begat warm friends and active enemies, and the latter learned to know him as a vigorous fighter. Throughout his life he was an earnest Catholic, and always loyal to his church; as a husband and parent loving and true, in the best souses of the terms: as a business man, energetic and public spirited. Considering all the relations he bore, in life, it can be most truthfully said that one of the strongest men of Northeastern Iowa has passed away.

Calvary Cresco Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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