Biographical Sketch of John Hughes, Johnson County, Missouri Chilhowee Township >From "The History of Johnson County, Missouri," Kansas City Historical Co. 1881 JOHN HUGHES, post office Chilhowee. The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest citizens of the county. He is the son of Blackmore Hughes, who was a native of Virginia. The father moved to Kentucky in the year 1790, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Mr. Hughes was born in the county now called Green River county, Kentucky, in the year 1799. He was raised on his father’s farm in Green county, Kentucky, working during the summer season, in the tobacco fields, cultivating the staple crop of his native county. The crop was shipped to New Orleans on flat boats, Mr. Hughes frequently making these trips, taking with him from seventy-five to one hundred hogsheads of tobacco, which he put upon the markets of that city. Another occupation Mr Hughes used to engage in was the buying of stock hogs, which he fed, and in the fall of the year would drive them to the state of Georgia and dispose of them in the markets of that state. Mr. Hughes was married August, 1822, to Miss Nancy Elliott. She was the daughter of Squire Elliott, and a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Hughes only lived four years after her marriage, leaving two children, both of whom afterwards died. February 3, 1836, Mr. Hughes again married Miss Pollie Diddle, who is the daughter of Wm. Diddle, and a native of Kentucky. From this union there were six children, only three of who are now living, viz: Nancy A., Sallie S., and Susan B. They are all married and living near their father. In the spring of 1850, Mr. hughes moved to Missouri, settling in Camden county. He remained here one season, then moved to Pettis county, near Georgetown, then the county seat of that county. Here he remained one season, then moved his family to Johnson county, settling in the southwestern part of the county where he has since resided. When the war came on, Mr. H’s sympathies were with the south, though he took no active part in the conflict. In the fall of 1862, he took his negroes to Arkansas, stopping near Huntsville. But before leaving home, Mr. Hughes promised his negroes that he would not barter or sell them, but that when he returned home he would bring them all back with him. The people among whom Mr. Hughes located, claimed to be southern in sympathy, and most of them being southern in principle, enlisted in her armies; but as the war progressed they deserted, and changed, and called themselves sympathizers with the union. Their mission then consisted in destroying and killing all who were not in sympathy with them. They took Mr. Hughes prisoner, with eight others, Jan. 10, 1863, and confined them in the Huntsville prison; here they kept them three days, then took them from the prison, under pretence of sending them back to Missouri. They had marched them about one mile from Huntsville, when they halted in an old field, and ordered the nine prisoners to turn their backs; a detachment of their guards then stepped forward, a command was given and they were all shot down, Mr. Hughes being the only one of the nine who survived. He received a very severe wound in the head, which totally destroyed his sight. All of these men, including Mr. Hughes, were left upon the ground supposed to be dead. A Mrs. Vatright, whose husband was one of the murdered men, received permission from Gen. Herron, who was in command at Huntsville, to get her husband and bury him. When Mrs. Vatright, with two or three other ladies, had come for her husband, they found some signs of life in Mr. Hughes; they placed him in their wagon, and Mrs. V. took him to her home, and reported his case to Gen. Herron; he visited Mr. Hughes and brought him medical aid. Mr. Hughes remained in Mrs. V.’s house for three weeks, and by careful nursing, recovered from his wounds, with the exception of losing his sight. Mr. hughes had now so far recovered from his wounds, that he was able to travel, and began to think of his return to his home. He had not forgotten his promise to his slaves, who had been freed by the president’s emancipation proclamation. He sent for them, and they all came to him, excepting one, who had enlisted in the army. With his former slaves, Mr. Hughes returned to his Johnson county home, where he has since resided. Since Mr. Hughes moved to Johnson county in the spring of 1850, he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns a fine farm of 600 acres, well improved. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: James R. Baker, Jr. ====================================================================