Micheal Hughes

MICHAEL HUGHES, one of the well known citizens and prosperous farmers of Cherokee County, residing on a finely cultivated and improved farm of 160 acres in section 8, township 32, range 24, in Mineral township, was born April 18, 1863, in St. Clair County, Illinois, and is a son or Luke and Ann (Costello) Hughes.

Michael Hughes, the paternal grandfather, for whom the subject of this sketch was named, was born in Ireland and came in 1848 to America, where both he and his wife subsequently died. Luke Hughes, was born in Ireland in 1829, and accompanied his parents to America in 1848. They settled in Pennsylvania, where Luke Hughes worked in a foundry for three years, and then moved to Wisconsin, where he worked in a blacksmith and foundry estahlishment. He was subsequently employed for about 10 years in the same business at St. Louis. He removed to Wyandotte, Kansas, in 1868, and several years later began to assist in railroad construction work, on a line then building. Thus he continued until he purchased the farms on which he and his son now reside. His own farm of 160 acres, located in the northeast quarter of section 9, township 32, range 24, he bought in 1887. He is a very highly respected citizen, and one of the oldest settlers in Mineral township.

In 1857, Luke Hughes married Ann Costello, who was born in Ireland. They had 11 children, the survivors being: Fannie, Michael, Daniel, Joseph and Edward. James died December 31, 1903.

/a> Michael Hughes was nine years old when his parents came to Kansas, and his whole life since then has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. His finely cultivated farm of 160 acres was given him by a very indulgent father. This he has improved, and here carries on general farming with most satisfactory results.

In 1891 Michael Hughes was married to Maggie McArdel, and their interesting family of five children were all born in Mineral township. They are named as follows: Patrick, Edward, Phillip, Frances and John. Politically, Mr. Hughes chooses to vote independently. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Mr. Hughes belongs to one of the old families of the township, and bears the reputation of being one of a family of extraordinarily good farmers, as well as first-class citizens.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Justin Metcalf, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1-13-1997.