BIO: John M. HUGHES, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 428-430. _________________________________________________________________ JOHN M. HUGHES, who is highly esteemed as one of the leading citizens of Beaver Falls, Pa., is one of the most extensive contractors in this section of the state and has erected many industrial plants, and constructed a large number of railroads. He is a son of John A. and Elizabeth (Grubb) Hughes, and was born in Braddock, Pa., in 1860. John A. Hughes, the father of John M., was born in Pine Creek, Allegheny county, Pa., in 1822, and in 1840 removed to Braddock, where he followed the business of general contracting for thirty years. In 1870, he built the Grant Mills on Clarion River, which he BEAVER COUNTY 429 conducted until they were destroyed by fire. He then returned to Braddock, and started a steam saw-mill and a boat building yard. He bought the steamboat Kangaroo, of which he acted as captain for several years; in 1875, he moved to Beaver Falls, and engaged in general contracting. At a subsequent period he took in his sons as partners, as he preferred the river life, which he continued to follow until his death, on March 14, 1898. He married Elizabeth Grubb, and they became the parents of eight children: Mary (Sloss); Elizabeth (Beams); Margaret (Willets); Martha (Casner); James H., who was killed at Edgar Thompson's steel works; Olive L. (Willets); John M., the subject of this personal history; and E. O., who is also a contractor. Mr. Hughes was a Democrat in politics; he belonged to the Disciples' church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows order. John M. Hughes obtained his primary education in the public schools of Braddock, and took an advanced course at Miss Bell's Institute, a private school. He moved with his family to Beaver Falls, and at once secured a position as office boy with the H. M. Myers Shovel Company; after a while he was transferred to the finishing and handle department. He was finally promoted to be inspector, - which speaks well for his ability and general knowledge of the business, - for that was a feature of the work which Mr. Myers had personally attended to for many years. Continuing thus for three years, he, in the meanwhile, took a course in civil engineering under the instruction of P. Kirkerwaugh. In 1878, he resigned and was taken into the partnership with his father, the firm name becoming John A. Hughes & Sons, with offices on Ninth street, between First and Second avenues. Their first work was to build the A. F. Wolf stove foundry, but as their reputation grew, their business increased, and they completed many large contracts, - including large coal works in West Virginia; the barns and houses of the Sewickley Dairy Company; the Newcastle Steel & Wire Nail Mills; the Beaver Falls Chemical Works; and the Bellevue school building. In 1888, John M. Hughes retired from the firm and started into business for himself, with offices at No, 1011 Seventh avenue. His first work was to erect a store room for J. T. Howarth, now the Farmers' National Bank, at the corner of Eleventh street and Seventh avenue. He then built a store adjoining this for John White, who occupied it with a five and ten cent store, - and he himself took offices over it. He then accepted a contract to build the Beaver & Ellwood Short Line R. R., and took options on a great deal of the property, selling it at handsome profits; this was his first important contract while in business for himself. He then went to Ellwood, while the railroad was in the course of construction, and drove the first stake, and put up the first building, in what is now one of the most prosperous towns in Lawrence county. He also built the tube works and the enamel factory, and later had charge of the entire property in the village. This was a very successful under- 430 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES taking and in two years he made considerable money. In 1892, he returned to Beaver Falls and became interested in the street railways and other business ventures; he built the Shenango Valley Railway, from Sharon to Sharpsville, and also the pottery works. He then formed a special partnership with George C. Wareham, for the construction of the Pittsburg & Homestead Street Railway, which was completed in December, 1894, It might be stated here that owing to a lack of business ability, and the foolish and absurd actions of a few of the directors, this immense contract was almost a total loss, and was a severe blow to Mr. Hughes. Having once ascended the ladder to the top round, he was now forced to the ground, to begin anew. Everybody had the utmost confidence in him, and respected him for the scrupulous manner in which he met every obligation. In 1895, he went to West Virginia and built the Moundsville, Benwood & Wheeling R. R., but here again ill luck seemed to follow him, for it was not until after three years of litigation, that he was able to procure his money. In 1897, he returned to Beaver Falls, and made the plans and specifications for the Titusville, Hydetown & Pleasantville Ky., and a short time afterward became a promoter and builder of the Riverview Street Railway. He employs a large force of men, the number ranging between seventy-five and three hundred, - over whom he exercises personal supervision. He was united in marriage with Ida L. Littlefield, a descendant of two of America's most distinguished families, and a daughter of Dr. Littlefield, of North Adams, Mass. She was born in Sterling, Ill., and after completing her education in Edwards Seminary, taught in the Sterling High School. Her union with Mr. Hughes has been blessed by the birth of two children: Homer L., who was born in November, 1892; and J. Mitchell, born n June, 1895. Politically, Mr. Hughes is a stanch Republican, but has accepted but one office, that of postmaster of Ellwood. Religiously, he is a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church.