OBIT: HUGHES, Thomas J.; 1908; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, 27 Mar 1908 Volume 42, Number 13 Death of T. J. Hughes Ex-Steward of the Almshouse Dies at His Home in the East Ward Tuesday Morning Sketch of His Life Thomas J. Hughes, ex-Steward of the poor house, died at his home in the East Ward on Tuesday morning last after a very short illness from heart failure, superinduced by an old malady aggravated by grip contracted about ten days ago. During the first week of court he served as a juror in apparently his usual state of health. Mr. Hughes was the oldest son of John T. and Anna William Hughes, and was born in North Wales on December 27, 1844, but his parents soon afterwards emigrating to America and his father having soon afterwards purchased several hundred acres of land in Cambria and Summerhill Township, built a house of the farm where his son, L. J. Hughes, now lives. When quite young Thomas J. Hughes was afflicted with white swelling which his service in the army in the Union army as a member of Battery D, Fifth Heavy Artillery Pennsylvania Volunteers doubtless aggravated. On November 5, 1864 he was captured by the rebels and confined in Libby Prison until February 1865. After his return from the war, Mr. Hughes became a sawyer by trade and worked on several mills for Thomas Griffith, P. M. Woleslagle & Son and others. In 1873 he married Miss Eliza Ellis, of near Wilmore and to this union the following children were born: John, now dead; Gertrude May, wife of Herbert Evans of the Eighth Ward, Johnstown; Edna, wife of Joseph Anderson of Maple Avenue, Johnstown; Mary, wife of Cyrus W. Davis of Conemaugh and Leah and Martha. Sometime about the beginning of the Eighties, the deceased bought the old Dimond farm in Munster Township and erected thereon a fine house and a large barn. One day while plowing on the farm, his son's clothes accidentally caught fire from a burning brush heap and in extinguishing the flames, Mr. Hughes was severely burned on his leg where the old sore had been and this gave him much trouble at the time and probably had much to do with his sudden demise. His first wife having died many years ago, the deceased married Marian Roberts, who, dying soon afterwards, he subsequently married Wilhelmina Young, who survives him. In 1893 Mr. Hughes was appointed steward of the poor house in which position he served until his resignation last fall. Besides his wife the deceased is survived by Mrs. William Howell and J. J. Hughes of Cambria Township; Isaac J. Hughes of Summerhill Township; Elias J. Hughes of Iowa City, Iowa; Mrs. Reese Roberts, of Ormer, O., and Mrs. David T. Edwards of the Sixth ward, Johnstown. The deceased was a member of the Congregational Church, Ebensburg and a member of Summit Lodge No. [number faded], Free and Accepted Masons, Past commander of Captain John M. Jones Post G. A. R. He was also a stalwart Republican. The funeral which was in charge of Captain John M. Jones Post G. A. R. of this place took place this afternoon with services in the Congregational church of which Mr. Hughes had been a true and faithful member by the Rev. J. Twyson Jones, interment in Lloyd's cemetery.