Bio of HUGHES, Thomas D. (b.1870), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

THOMAS D. HUGHES - Vol III, pg 101-102
If one were to write an extended biography of Thomas D. Hughes, a leading
insur­ance man of Minneapolis, the central theme would be one very dear to a
democratic republic, that of the rising fortunes of a man who has no aid but
virtue and capacity. Left an orphan at the age of one month, he has had to rely
entirely upon his own efforts for his support and advancement in life. He proved
an apt pupil in the stern school of experience and soon rose above the adverse
conditions that surrounded his early youth. As general manager of the
northwestern office of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company his position
in the insurance world is a highly creditable one.
Thomas D. Hughes was born in Belleville, Ontario, in 1870, and is the son of
Laughlin and Louise (Chisholm) Hughes. His father was of Scotch descent but
lived in Belfast, Ireland, before coming, to Canada. The death of his parents
forced Thomas Hughes to go to work at an age when most children are still
thinking seriously about their play. After various youthful experiences he took
up the insurance business and inside of a year was the manager of an office. He
went out to North Dakota in the interests of the Equitable Insurance Company of
New York, making his headquarters at Bismarck. There he organized the Pioneer
Life Insurance Company, which he later merged into the Lincoln National Life
Insurance Company and went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the latter company. He
came to Minneapolis in 1920, following an ex­tended residence in North Dakota,
to become general manager of the northwestern office of the Lincoln Life
Company, his present position. In this concern he also is financially interested
and holds the office of vice president, as well as being on the board of
directors. He has not confined his activities to this firm, nor even to the
insurance business. In the financial world he has taken a place as the vice
president of the Fargo National Bank of Fargo, North Dakota, and has become
connected with other commercial enter­prises.
Mr. Hughes married Miss Elizabeth Conrad of Minnesota, and they have two
chil­dren, Grant C. and Beatrice Louise Hughes. Since coming to Minneapolis, Mr.
Hughes has become associated with the work of the Civic and Commercial
Association and is a member of the Minneapolis Athletic, the Interlachen Golf
and the Automobile clubs. Fraternally he is known as a Knight of Columbus and a
member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
In the field of insurance Mr. Hughes has had a remarkably successful career. He
is an able executive and a natural manager of men. Although lacking in the
formal training of the schoolroom, he is a man of broad interests and high
intellectual attainments, for experience, reading and observation have been a
liberal education to his naturally expansive mind. In accounting for his
achievements Mr. Hughes says: "Honesty and hard work will bring any man
success."