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A.J. HUGHES. - The venerable and enterprising gentleman, whose name appears at the head of this article, ahs always taken an influential part in the activities of Union county, having wrought out here a success that demonstrates his ability, while commensurate with this is the integrity and uprightness displayed in a faithful career from the activities of which he has now retired, enjoying the fruits of his thrift and industry.

On October 5, 1838, in Harrison county, Kentucky, our subject was born to John E. and Elizabeth (Steward) Hughes, and there he remained until arriving to manhood's estate and thence to Macoupin county, Illinois; thence again to Scotland county, Missouri, where, in 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the cavalry forces and participated in a number of skirmishes then in the battle of Silver creek, where he received a wound in the elbow that disabled him for life. This unhappy event occurred on January 8, 1862, and then being disabled to stand further for the cause that he deemed right, he retired to Illinois to his father's house and later went to Missouri again and there, on January 7, 1864, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Standley, and then removed to Monroe county, Missouri, whence in the spring of 1869, he went across the plains in three and one-half months to the Grande Ronde valley. He soon purchased a quarter section and settled down to farming and raising stock. Success could but follow the faithful and careful efforts that he put forth, and he was numbered with the most prosperous men of the county in short order. Later he sold this property and bought three hundred and twenty acres, nine miles northeast from Lagrande, later selling eighty acres and there he bestowed his labors until 1898, then he retired from the activities of the farm and removed to Lagrande. He owns a fine ten-room house, where he resides, besides other property that is rented, and he is well entitled to the respect of the community that he is enjoying in generous measure at the present time and has continuously done so since his residence here.

The following children have been born to the worthy couple of whom we have been speaking, as follows: James H., married to May Catterson, of Lagrande; William J., married to Minnie Gekeler, near Lagrande; Charles A., deceased; Edward E. and Mary E., deceased; Robert W., John B., deceased; Emma K., Roscoe C., Lulu B., Anna L. In politics, Mr. Hughes has always been allied with the Democrats, and has always manifested a commendable and intelligent interest for the welfare of the county and in its affairs, while educational matters have also occupied a good portion of his attention. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are members of the Methodist church, South, and are active in the interests of their faith.

William J. was born on a farm in Monroe county, Missouri on December 20, 1867, and three years subsequent to that important date to our subject, the father gathered his substance and took his family and entered upon the arduous journey across the plains, ceasing from his travel in the Grande Ronde valley. He purchased a quarter section and gave his attention to farming and stock raising. Our subject grew up amid the environments of Union county, gaining his education in the commons schools during the winters of his youthful days, the summers being spent in assisting his father with the farm work. This routine continued until he had reached the interesting age of seventeen, and then he went to work for the neighboring farmers until he was twenty-one years old. His next move was to rent wheat land, and for two years he raised that cereal, being especially successful in the endeavor, and then he was enabled to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located one and one-half miles east and one-half mile south from Lagrande. In addition to producing wheat and hay here he has also given much attention to raising stock cattle, and he has made as equally great success in these lines as he did in the first two years that he raised wheat. And now Mr. Hughes is one of the thrifty, substantial and prominent agriculturists and stockmen of the county.

In 1890 Mr. Hughes married a daughter of the county, Miss Minnie A. Gekeler, whose parents, George and Catherine (King) Gekeler are mentioned in another portion of this volume. To this happy union there have been born four children. Earl R., Ruth R., George A., and Clara W. Mrs. Hughes was born on June 11, 1868. In political matters, Mr. Hughes is allied with the Democrats, and he ever manifests a commendable interest in the local affairs and in the government. In 1898, Mr. Hughes erected a fine, commodious barn, while in every respect he ahs improved his farm in a praiseworthy manner, thus exemplifying both his wisdom and ability, while he ahs so demeaned himself that he is the recipient of the esteem and good will of all.