   W. H. Hughes died 6 September 1885 aged 55 Years  A PIONEER GONE
The Death of W. H. Hughes Mr. W. H. Hughes died Sunday morning from dropsy of the heart at the family residence in the northwest part of the city. With his death, Denison loses one of her pioneer citizens. Mr. Hughes located in Denison in 1872, he came here from St. Louis, and engaged in the real estate business. In all the busy, turbulent scenes which Denison has passed through in the past thirteen years Mr. Hughes was a central figure. He was an active, progressive, shrewd, business man, full of push and enterprise, well calculated to hold his own in a city that sprang into existence under so many peculiar circumstances, as attended the birth of the Gate City. It was said on the day of his funeral by a prominent attorney that there is hardly a piece of property on Main street that Mr. Hughes did not at one time or another have something to do with. To the day of his sickness he was actively engaged in the real estate business, and seemed to have lost none of his early vim. He was very exacting in all business transactions, and was perhaps in some occasions too severe with those he did business with. He was unquestionably the closest collector of rents of any real estate agent in Denison, no matter how small the sum his persistency to collect was proverbial. Mr. Hughes always took an active part in the public affairs of our city. He was once elected councilman, and was also a prominent candidate for mayor. It was as good as a show to hear him speak in the council which held their meetings in a little room that adjoined the Nelson House. For the past two or three years Mr. Hughes has devoted a considerable portion of his time to the cultivation of small fruits, and had one of the most extensive gardens in the corporate limits. He was a thrifty man in whatever he undertook. Every morning at daylight, rain or shine, he was one of the first on our streets with a wagon load of garden truck. Mr. Hughes was confined to his bed several weeks, he was a patient sufferer, and met the final end with perfect resignation. It is stated that all through his painful illness he never was heard to utter a complaint. He died in the bosom of his family, his children, with the exception of Albert, being present at the bedside. No man was ever a better father. The manner in which he brought up his family has always been the subject of much favorable comment. It was the crowning excellence of an eventful life. The funeral service took place from the family residence, and was conducted by Dr. Atkins of the Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Hughes was a member. The pall bearers were Messrs. Sherburne, Harriman, Sam Hanna, Will Bennett, A. H. Coffin and Alex Rennie. It is said to have been the largest funeral cortege ever witnessed in Denison; over fifty carriages were in line. Mr. Hughes left his family in good circumstances. They are provided with a splendid home, which is valuable property. He also had an Insurance of $5,000 on his life. In parting with him forever, we can truthfully say, "peace to his ashes." The Galveston Daily News Monday, September 7, 1885 DENISON (Special to The News) Denison, September 6 - . . . W. H. Hughes, a real estate agent, was buried this afternoon. Harvey & Fox placed a beautiful monument over the remains of W. H. Hughes, Saturday. It is an elaborate work of art and displays great taste in the design. It is another triumph for Messrs. Harvey & Fox. Fairview Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |