In no field of human endeavor is there given to the world a clearer assurance of a man and a man's appreciation of the higher ethics of life, than when cognizance is taken of the efforts of one who has consecrated his life to the work of the Christian ministry and who has labored to goodly ends. There is, then, an eminent degree of satisfaction in directing the attention at this point to the pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Piqua, and of reviewing his career succinctly and with due regard to the innate modesty of the man, who has ever endeavored to follow the divine behest and not allow his left hand to know what his right hand is doing. The church has been advanced materially and spiritually and in its various functions the pastor maintains a lively and well informed interest, according due value to every phase of church work, and by precept and example vitalizing each element.

He was born in Jackson county, Ohio, April 27, 1850. His father, Thomas L. Hughes, Sr., was a native of Wales and remained in that little rock-ribbed country until about thirty-five years of age, when he came to America. He engaged in the manufacture of pig-iron at Oak Hill, Jackson county, Ohio, and was one of the stockholders in the Jefferson Furnace Company, in which he held the office of secretary and treasurer. Before becoming connected with the company be had engaged in merchandising in Oak Hill for several years. Not only prominent in industrial circles, he was recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Republican party, and on that ticket was elected to the state legislature. He also served as county commissioner and justice of the peace. A man of scholarly attainments and marked literary ability, he contributed frequently to Welsh magazines, and wrote the only Life of Christ ever published in the Welsh language, in America. He was a prominent and faithful member of the Welsh Presbyterian church and his religious belief dominated his entire career, making his life a very honorable and upright one. In his business affairs he met with splendid success, obtaining a handsome competence as the result of his careful management and well-directed efforts. He died in March, 1896, when about ninety years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Jones, was born in South Wales and when a young lady came to America. They were married in Cincinnati and she died in 1857, when about thirty-seven years of age. Like her husband she, too, was a member of the Welsh Presbyterian church. In their family were five children: Jane, wife of M. D. Jones, a coal operator of Jackson county, Ohio; Thomas Lloyd, of this review; Anna, who became the wife of Dr. W. E. Williams, of Jackson county, Ohio, and died at the age of thirty-eight years; and Winnifred, who became the wife of J. A. Jones, of Oak Hill, and died when about thirty-five years of age, leaving one child.

Rev. Thomas Lloyd Hughes was reared amid the refined influences of a cultured home, and after acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools pursued his studies at Oak Hill. When about fourteen years of age he entered the Ohio University and after his graduation in that institution pursued a postgraduate course in Princeton University. He then studied law in the Cincinnati Law College, was admitted to the bar in 1874 and practiced in Jackson county for about two years, but, wishing to devote his energies to the higher and holier calling of the ministry, he began preparation therefor in 1876, pursuing a partial course of study in Lane's Seminary. He was ordained to preach in June, 1877, and took charge of the Eckmansville church, where he remained for three and a half years. He was then pastor of the Presbyterian church at Pomeroy for two and one-half years, after which he accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Shelbyville, Indiana. During his nine years service there he built a new church and the Portage Mission chapel. In September, 1892, he came to Piqua, where he has since remained. The church here has a membership of about six hundred and fifty and owns property to the value of seventy-nine thousand dollars.

Rev. Hughes was married in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Miss Hattie Clare, who was born in Jackson county, Ohio. They have six children: James Clare, who is a student in the State Law School and has just been admitted to the bar; Catherine, wife of J. B. Wilkinson, of Piqua; Anna; Thomas L.; Mary; and Emma. In his political views Mr. Hughes is an earnest Republican and served as city solicitor while practicing law in Jackson. When only twenty- two years of age he could have been elected to the legislature, but his father objected to his accepting the nomination. Hanover College has conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of his scholarly attainments and excellent work in the church. In 1899 he was elected moderator of the synod of Ohio. He is one of the most eminent of the Presbyterian ministers of the state and is now in charge of one of the largest pastorates in this part of Ohio. He has that practical appreciation of the affairs of life that lends greater potency to his ministerial labors, while as a pulpit orator he is logical, convincing and eloquent, appealing not alone to the emotional side of human nature, but to the most mature judgment and most critical wisdom. His strength as an organizer and practical worker is evidenced sufficiently in his accomplishments, and the Christian religion has an able and devoted supporter and advocate in the honored subject of this sketch.