WORKMAN HUGHES, a retired agriculturist, than whom none is better known in his township, or more highly respected, is a native of the county, born Febuary (sic) 5, 1822, in South Strabane township. John Hughes, grandfather of Workman Hughes, was a native of New Jersey, born of Irish ancestry, and when a young man moved to Carlisle, Penn., where he enlisted in the Continental army; in July 1775, his company was formed, with eight others, into a battalion of riflemen. Mr. Hughes participated in the disastrous expedition to Canada under the command of Col. Arnold, and was present at the attack on Quebec. He remained in the army to the close of the struggle, rising from the ranks to captain. After the war he came to Washington county, where he subsequently (in 1784) bought a tract of land on what is known as Hughes' branch of Ten-Mile creek. In 1802 Mr. Hughes purchased a lot on Main street, Washington, and in 1809 two lots on Maiden street. He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed at Washington for a considerable period from 1784, and also at Ten-Mile creek. For some fourteen years he was captain of a company that guarded the Surveying Corps. On retiring from active life, he settled in Amwell township, where he died September 15, 1818, aged sixty-eight years.
Samuel Hughes, father of Workman Hughes, was born January 23, 1786, in Amwell township, this county, where he was married to Mary Workman, who was born January 13, 1786, in the building that afterward became the first depot for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Washington; she was a daughter of Hugh Workman, who settled in the borough many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes after marriage made their home in Washington borough until 1820, in which year they came to South Strabane township, where they remained until 1850, and then went to Iowa. The names of their children are Margaret, Elizabeth, Hugh W., Samuel, Sarah, Mary, John, James, Workman, Martha and Jackson. Mr. Hughes, in addition to his farming interests, followed carpentering for some years. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Disciple Church of Washington, and in politics he was an active Democrat. He died October 2, 1862, aged seventy-six years, his wife, Mary, on March 10, 1802, aged seventy years. [This date, obviously incorrect, is presented as was published.]
The early life of the subject of this memoir was passed at the paternal home, his education being secured at the subscription schools of the neighborhood, which was held in an old, abandoned log dwelling. On June 3, 1847, he was married to Rachel, daughter of Matthew Taylor, and their union has been blessed with the following named children: Samuel T., James W., John H., William, Mary (Mrs. B. F. Closser), Nannie J. and Rachel (Mrs. William Myers). The mother of these children dying May 12, 1862, Mr. Hughes married, March 15, 1864, Miss Margaret, daughter of Samuel Vance, but she departed this life August 22, 1879, and in December , 1880, the bereaved husband took unto himself a third life partner in the person of Miss Martha, daughter of John Scott.
After his first marriage Mr. Hughes remained on the old home place till 1850, when he moved to the other farm and resided there until 1863, in which year, having bought the old McGiffin property, he removed to Ten-Mile, where he made his home until 1879, when he came into the borough of Washington, and has since resided, having built his present commodious residence. The family are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Washington. In politics Mr. Hughes has been a life-long Democrat, and in 1870 he was elected director of the poor for a three years' term; he has also held various township offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
Text taken from page 466 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Donald Ackley of Santa Ana, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]