BIO: Rev. James P. HUGHES, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 66

REV. JAMES P. HUGHES. Bellefonte may well take pride in her excellent academy in 
which so many men who have attained distinction in business, professional and 
political life have been equipped for their work. Its widely recognized value as 
a factor in the progress of the community does honor to its efficient corps of 
instructors, and especially to the able principal, Rev. J. P. Hughes, who has 
directed it for more than a quarter of a century. Who can estimate the 
influences for good which in that time have been set in motion under his 
watchful guardianship? In home and business office, in pulpit and in legislative 
halls, the silent, unnoticed, but all-potent force of his teachings may mold and 
shape issues of which he had no thought, and which will in their turn bring into 
operation new centers of helpful inspiration.
  The personal history of Prof. Hughes will be read with interest, as revealing 
in striking manner the direct, consistent and unwavering pursuit of a high 
purpose. Born in New Jersey December 15, 1827, he left home in boyhood and was 
prepared for college at Lewistown, Penn.  In 1847 he entered Princeton College, 
in his native State, and after completing the literary course he spent three 
years in the Theological Seminary, his graduation being soon followed by his 
ordination to the ministry. He is a born educator, and his ability in this 
direction was soon discovered, and after a short period of teaching in Wyoming 
Valley he was called to become one of the principals of the Edgehill School, 
Princeton, N. J., where he taught mathematics for seven years. For the three 
years next following he was principal of the academy at Logansport, Ind., and in 
1868 he came to Bellefonte, and has now been the presiding genius of the academy 
here for thirty years. He has five assistants, while he himself is constantly 
active in classroom work, and the curriculum embraces classical, mathematical, 
scientific and literary courses.  
  On June 27, 1861, Prof. Hughes married Miss Emily W. Roberts, who was born in 
New York City, September 6, 1840, and passed from earth in June 1889, leaving 
the memory of a devoted life as wife, mother and friend. Of this happy union 
eight children were born: (1) James, December 29, 1864, a graduate of Princeton 
College, is a teacher in the classical department and associate principal of 
Bellefonte Academy; (2) Emma, March 13, 1863, married A. B. Alexander, of New 
York City; (3) Elizabeth, March 13, 1865, married A. B. Connor, of Chicago, 
Ill.; (4) Charles, April 2, 1870, resides in Baltimore, Md.; (5) Marian, 
November 16, 1872, married Frank Basset, and has two children-Emily and Eugene; 
(6) Edward, February 25, 1876; (7) Luther, March 16, 1878; and (8) Ottilie, 
March 9, 1881. All are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which the Hughes 
family has been identified for many years.  
  Prof. Hughes is naturally interested in all the questions of the day, and 
while not an active worker in politics is an influential supporter of the 
principles of the Republican party.  
  The old homestead of the Hughes family is situated on Cape May, and the 
Professor's paternal grandfather, Jacob Hughes, was born there. He married Ann 
Lawrence (daughter of Rev. Daniel Lawrence), a lady of English descent.  Their 
son, James R. Hughes (our subject's father), was born in New Jersey, and spent 
his life at the old home on Cape May, where, having been carefully educated at 
Bridgeton, N. J., he followed teaching in connection with agricultural pursuits. 
He and his wife, Eliza Eldridge, had twelve children, as follows: (1) Jeremiah, 
a merchant (now deceased); (2) Ann (Mrs. Downs Foster), who died at Cape May; 
(3) Daniel L., a Presbyterian minister at Cape May; (4) Joseph E., a merchant at 
Cape May and associate judge of the court there; (5) William, who died in 
infancy; (6) Harriet, wife of Rev. Mr. Oakley, a Presbyterian minister; (7) 
James P., our subject; (8) Hannah, Mrs. William McMin (deceased), formerly of 
Altoona, Penn.; (9) Mary (Mrs. A. Fletcher); (10) Emma, wife of Rev. John 
Roberts, a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church; (11) Amelia, who married Rev. 
John Kershaw, a Presbyterian minister; and (12) Jacob, who is also a well-known 
preacher in the Presbyterian Church.