Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    JAMES CLARE HUGHES

    James Clare Hughes, a leading member of the Miami county bar, ex- mayor of Piqua and one of the prominent and influential Republicans of his community, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, February 5 1875, a son of Rev. T. L. and Hortense (Clare) Hughes. Thomas L. Hughes, the grandfather of James C., was born in Wales, from which country he came to the United States and engaged as an iron manufacturer in Jackson county, Ohio, which county he subsequently represented in the state legislature. Rev. T. L. Hughes was a graduate of Ohio state and Princeton, universities, studied theology at Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, and was given his first charge as a minister of the Presbyterian faith in Adams county, this state. Later he filled pulpits at Eckmansville and Pomeroy, Ohio, Shelbyville, Ind., and Piqua, Ohio. At the latter place he was pastor of the Presbyterian church from 1892 until his death in 1900. He was a man high in the councils of his church, being moderator of the Ohio Synod and had the love and reverence of his parishioners. He married Hortense, daughter of James D. Clare, a native of Alexandria, Va. Of the six children born to this union, James Clare Hughes was the eldest. He was educated primarily at Shelbyville, Ind., and then attended Washington and Jefferson College. After studying at the Ohio State University for one year, he was a student at the Indiana Law School for a like period, and upon being graduated therefrom and admitted to the bar came to Piqua. Here he was elected city solicitor in 1901 and reelected in 1903, and in 1905 was chosen mayor by the vote of his fellow- citizens, an office to which he was reelected in 1907. His administrations were characterized by much constructive work and a conscientious endeavor to be of service to his city and its people. Mr. Hughes has long been prominent in Republican politics and is chairman of the executive committee of his party in Miami county, and a member of the state central an congressional district committees. His standing in his profession is an excellent one. During the war period he served as attorney for the local Red Cross Society and was active in other ways in supporting the policy of the administration at Washington. He is an interested member of the Piqua Rotary Club and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hughes married Anna B., daughter of William Mathews, and sister of Frank Mathews, who was chief gunner of a battery of heavy artillery and saw service in France during the great World war. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are the parents of one son, Thomas L.

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