History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

24 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
an ideal married life, most close compauionsliip existing between
them because of tbeir mutual interests and the similarity of their
tastes. To their friends they delighted to extend the hospitality of
their home which was bereft of the wife in 1903. There is an
only living child, Adessa, the wife of E. H. Brewster, a lawyer in
Dixon, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this vohune. Two
other children of the marriage, Mark W. and Vera L., have long
since passed away.
Mr. Hughes was recognized as one of the political leaders of
Lee county and in all of his political activity was actuated by an
unfaltering devotion to the public welfare. He was first elected
to office in Palmyra township, being chosen township assessor in
1876. He was reelected for three terms and in 1879 was elected
supervisor from his township, which position he filled for one
year. In 1886 he was elected treasurer of Lee coimty for a term
of four years and added fni'thei' laurels to his good name as a piib-
lic official. In Mai'ch, 1895, he was chosen mayor of Dixon ; was re-
elected in 1896 and again in 1900. It is said that he was the best
mayor the city ever had. He worked toward high ideals but at the
same time used practical methods. He was active in the development
of the city, in the paving of the streets and in the establishment
of other public improvements. He became an active factor
in state politics in 1900, when he was elected to the lower house
of the Illinois legislatui-e. At the close of his two years' term he
was nominated and elected state senator in the thirty-fifth district
and his course during the succeeding four years was indorsed by
a reelection. At the time of his death he was in the first year of
his second term. He was a recognized power in the senate, one
who wielded a wide influence because of his businesslike methods,
his capability and his recognized devotion to the general good.
He won and retained the respect and confidence of the leading
legislators and statesmen of Illinois.
Mr. Hughes was also prominent in fraternal circles. In November,
1884, he was initiated into Friendship Lodge, No. 7, A.
F. & A. M., of Dixon and was raised to the sublime degree of
Master Mason on the 5th of March, 1885. He served as worshipful
master of his lodge and he was a member of Nachusa Chapter.
No. 56, R. A. M. aud filled nearly all of the offices in the chapter,
including that of high pi'iest. He was created an Knight Templar
in Dixon Commandry and at all times he was loyal to the teach-
ings and to the beneficent spirit of the craft. He was likewise
a member of Dixon Lodge, No. 779, B. P. O. E.