McDonough ILGenWeb

HUGHES, James M., a well-known resident of Blandinsville, McDonough County, Ill., who is conducting a blacksmith and woodworker's shop, was born in Blandinsville Township, on June 26, 1851. He is a son of Austin and Malinda (Driscoll) Hughes, natives of the State of Kentucky. Austin Hughes, who was a farmer, came in 1851 to the northwestern portion of Blandinsville Township, where he purchased a farm and followed farming for some years. After disposing of this farm he moved to Clark County, Mo., on the Mississippi River bottoms, and died in Scotland County, at Memphis, Mo., aged eighty-four years. James M. Hughes attended the district schools in early boyhood, and at the age of fifteen years learned the trade of a blacksmith, in Johnson County, Mo. In early manhood he went to Texas, where he remained three years. Returning to his McDonough County home on a visit, he was prevailed upon to work there at his trade, which he did during the year 1872. In the following year he opened a blacksmith shop in Blandinsville, and has continued at the same location ever since. In the rear of the blacksmith shop he conducts a woodworker's shop, and in both lines his industrious habits and close attention to business have secured for him a profitable patronage.

On June 15, 1873, Mr. Hughes was married to Frances Mustine, who was born and schooled in McDonough County. Six children are the offspring of their union, namely: Gertrude (Mrs. Bloom); Ernest, who is practicing law in Iowa; Jessie (Mrs. Warrant); Bertha (Mrs. Griggs); Mary (Mrs. Grigsby) and Charles. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Democrat. He has served on the Town Board for several years. Fraternally, Mr. Hughes is connected with the A. O. U. W.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 914, extracted 09 Mar 2019 by Norma Hass.