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John Hughes
Born November 4, 1857


The agricultural interests of Washington township find a worthy representative in John Hughes, who was born in Jones county on the 4th of November, 1857, and is the eldest in a family of four sons born unto Peter and Ann Hughes, the others being Patrick, Michael and Thomas. The father, who was born in Ireland in 1827, was reared in his native land, and there acquired his education, most of which was gleaned through observation and experience. He came to America while still a young man in his teens, with the hope of here finding better opportunities for advancement in business lines than were offered across the waters. He first located in New Orleans where for about ten years he was engaged as a laborer. He then came to Jones county, Iowa, taking up his abode on a farm in Washington township, where he continued to reside until his demise, which occurred on the 27th of June, 1909. He was very successful in his agricultural pursuits and as the years passed was able to add to his original purchase, which consisted of eighty acres, until he became one of the largest land owners in his section of the county, accumulating nine hundred acres, which property is now divided among his four sons. He was a democrat in politics and a faithful member of the Temple Hill Catholic church. In 1856 he had married Ann Hughes, who was also a native of Ireland, coming to America in early life.
John Hughes, whose name introduces this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and is indebted to the public-school system of Jones county for the educational advantages he enjoyed. He early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and upon attaining his majority wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which be had been reared. He has since devoted himself to agriculture and in this line of activity has been very successful. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead, where he carries on general farming, practicing rotation of crops and making a thorough study of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. The land is naturally rich and fertile and responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it.
Mr. Hughes was united in marriage in 1901 to Miss Julia Sorell, and their union has been blessed with one daughter, who was born on the 24th of October, 1902, and is the light and life of the household. Mrs. Hughes is a daughter of John and Mary Sorel, the former a native of France, where his birth occurred in 1813. He passed-away in 1895. The mother was born in Ireland and in New Orleans gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Sorel. They remained in that city for about two years and then came direct to Jones county, Iowa, taking up their abode in Washington township, where their remaining days were spent. The old homestead is still owned and occupied by the children.
Mr. Hughes, is a member of the Catholic church at Temple Hill and is deeply interested in the work thereof. Politically he has supported the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he does all in his power to further its influence throughout the community although he is not an aspirant for public office as a reward for party fealty. He is public-spirited in his citizenship and his influence is ever found on the side of improvement, advancement, progress and reform. He has great reverence for the good name and upright life of his father, whose high principles and honorable manhood served as an excellent example for his family, and his own record has ever been a most creditable one, he being recognized as a worthy son of an honored father.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 505.

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