Felix T. Hughes

HUGHES, ASKINS, SUMMERLIN

Posted By: Chuck Helling (email)
Date: 8/20/2003 at 13:30:47

Felix T. Hughes, attorney at law, Keokuk, is a native of Illinois, and was born in St. Clair County, Nov. 10, 1838. His father, Joshua W. Hughes, is a native of Virginia, a blacksmith and farmer by occupation, and resides in Scotland County, Mo., aged seventy-nine years. In early manhood Joshua W. Hughes was united in marriage with Miss Martha Askins, a native of Kentucky. She has been a faithful companion of her husband for over fifty years, and is still living, aged seventy-eight years. The parental family consisted of five children, of whom the record is as follows: William, who is a farmer of Indianola, Iowa; John, who is carrying on agricultural pursuits in Scotland County, Mo.; the third son was F. T., our subject; Martha, the only daughter, resides with her parents.

The early life of the subject of our sketch was passed upon the farm and in attendance upon the common schools. He also took a course at the Academy of Troy, Iowa, and for several years afterward studiously employed his time in the reading of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, and entered upon the practice of his profession at Lancaster, Mo., where he remained thirteen years. He then came to Keokuk, and after a time became associated with William T. Rankin, of that city, and they have since operated under the firm name of Hughes & Rankin.

Mr. Hughes is one of the prominent members of the profession in Lee County. He has been the attorney of the Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska Railway Company since the time of the building of their road, in 1871, and also during the time it was operated by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, under lease. He is now the President and General Counsel of the same road, under its new name, the Keokuk & Western. Although making railroad law a specialty, Mr. Hughes has also followed the general practice of his profession, and occupies a worthy position among his legal compeers in this State. He has a clear head for business, and as an advocate and counselor ably represents the claims of his patrons.

The marriage of Felix T. Hughes and Miss Jean A. Summerlin was celebrated in the city of Memphis, Tenn, Aug. 1, 1865. They have four children living – Greta, Howard R., Rupert R. and Felix H.

Politically Mr. Hughes affiliates with the Republican party; he was one of the Greeley electors for the State of Missouri, in 1872. He has been deeply interested in educational matters, and served for four years as Superintendent of public schools for Schuyler County, Mo. He is a liberal-minded citizen, and has generously contributed of his influence and means to encourage every work and purpose calculated for growth and advancement of his city and county. At his present residence, No. 312 North Fifth street, he, with his family, is enjoying the comforts of life, and the confidence of his townsmen and the people among whom he has built up a valuable practice in Lee County.

As a representative member of the legal profession of Lee County, the publishers of this album take pleasure in representing the portrait of Mr. Hughes in this work.