Hugh Morris Hughes (1831-1897)

HUGHES

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

July 1, 1831 --- December 28, 1897

H. M. Hughes died at his home in this city Tuesday at two o'clock. His death is a sorrow to every heart in the city. He had been in poor health for a year or more but had been confined to his bed but a short time. Mr. Hughes was well known and highly esteemed all over the state in railway, business and social circles. A genial, warm hearted, public spirited, ideal christian citizen, his death is felt a personal loss to thousands of friends and acquaintances. He was a prominent factor in every relation of life, respected and venerated by every one with whom he came in contact in his large and varied experience in life. The remains will be taken to Belle Plaine tomorrow for the final funeral exercises and interment and will be preceded here by a suitable service at about 9 o'clock a. m.

Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
December 31, 1897

Eagle Grove, Jan. 3. —In the death of H. M. Hughes, Eagle Grove has lost a valued citizen. Mr. Hughes entered the employment of the Northwestern railroad in 1858, in the capacity of station agent, first at DeWitt and afterward at Grand Junction, where he remained eleven years. In the fall of 1888 he was made assistant superintendent of the Iowa division, with head quarters at Boone. In the latter part of the same year he was promoted to the position of superintendent of the northern Iowa division, with headquarters at this place, which position he held until June, 1896, when ill health necessitated his retirement from the active duties of life. As a superior officer Mr. Hughes was most popular with all classes of railroad employes; and the community in general held him in high esteem. As a citizen he was ever ready to promote every good work. As one of the influential members of the Congregational church he was ever ready to do what he could for his church. He was buried at Belle Plaine.

The Courier --- Waterloo, Iowa
January 3, 1898

The funeral of Mr. Hughes occurred at his home on Commercial ave. last Thursday morning at 9 A. M. The exercises were conducted by Rev’s Douglas and Boardman. Rev. Douglas made the prayer and Rev. Boardman preached the sermon. He paid a high tribute to the character and virtues of his departed friend, which found a ready and appreciative response in the heart of every one present. The Congregational church choir sang a hymn and the remains were accompanied to the special train by about 100 masons of which fraternity the deceased was a member. The pallbearers were Supt. Hodge, Supt. Aishton, Geo, Wills. W. C. Halsey, S. P. Barr, O. A. Young, E. D. Mineah and H. A. Miller. The remains were taken by special train accompanied by a large number of friends to Belle Plaine, his former home for interment.

Mr. Hughes died of Bright’s disease, with which he had suffered for about two years. During this time he has had every care the best skill could suggest and a thoughtful, loving wife could devise.

He was born in Wales July 1, 1831 and was educated in that country and in England. Was married in Wales and shortly after in 1856 came to this country where he went into the railway service at Racine Wis. Later was agent at Beloit, and also at DeWitt, Ia., and was agent at Grand Junction, Ia., 11 years. From this position in 1880 he was promoted to the agency at Cedar Rapids then to Belle Plaine as train master and in 1883 was made assistant Supt. of the Iowa division at Boone. In 1888 he was appointed Superintendent of the Northern Iowa division with headquarters at Eagle Grove. From this position he resigned in June 1896, because of ill health. In July 1892 his wife died and in Dec. 1895 he was married to Mrs. D. Schaffter. Five children were born to the first union with, but one surviving, Elias E. Hughes of Boone. Mr. Hughes was a member of the Congregational church of this city, in whose work he took a lively interest and assisted with a generous hand.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
January 5, 1898

SEMI-LOCAL NEWS NOTES.

H. M. Hughes, for many years superintendent of this division on the Northwestern railway, died last week Tuesday at Eagle Grove. Mr. Hughes was a well known figure in Kossuth. He was a rugged but genial man.

Algona Upper Des Moines --- Algona, Iowa
January 5, 1898

Well Known Man Dead.

Eagle Grove, Iowa, Jan. 12. —H. M. Hughes, who was for eight years preceding 1896 superintendent of the northern Iowa division of the Chicago and Northwestern railway, died a few days ago at his home in this city and was buried at Belle Plaine, where he had lived before he was superintendent.

Muscatine News-Tribune --- Muscatine, Iowa
January 14, 1898

[Note: Transcribed as published.]