The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-08-26
Death Of William Hughes.

To the Editor of the Standard:
Many of the Welsh people of jackson and Calls
counties will doubtless be surprised TO learn the
death of the above named gentleman which occurred
at his home in Pittsburgh, Pa, Tuesday. August
TO- lSSO. Mr.. Hughes extensively known through
out the counties of jackson and Galia for upwards
forty years, and during his fourteen years residence
from 1856 TO 1870, near Oak Hill, probably Welsh
man was ever better known had large circle OF
friends. Mr.. Hughes born in North Wales, in
the year 1872 consequently at his death 6S years
of He to this country in 1885, first coming
to Pittsburgh, thence to Oak HILL where he resided
about one year. ut was about this time we believe
that he taught the Editor Of the STANDARD the Welsh
Alphabat)
Returning TO Pittsburgh he resided there about
eighteen years. During this period he paid occa-
sionaI visits to friends in the counties above named
and finally in 1856 became with his family resident
ofJackson county. For while he lived the old
Oak Hin steam mill, and afterwards jefferson
Furnace, where, in connection with his shoemaking
business, he titled small farm. In 1870 he removed
with his family to Cincinnati but did not stay there
long and in less than years time find him again
domiciled in his old home at Pittsburgh. Here he
gave up his shoemaking business and became con-
neced with one of the many rolling mills of that city
as overseer of the night force. His duties required
his presence at the mill during nearly all the hours of
the night, and to this radical changeat advanced
agein his habits of life, fear may be attributed
the primary of his contracting the disease
which finally took his life.
Mr.. Hughes possessed fine physical nature,
bust constitution, and enjoyed excellent health until
about three years ago, when he began feel symp-
toms of what afterwards developed into what known
'Bright's disease of the Kidneys. All that medi-
cal skill could do done; but to purpose. The
disease baed the skill of the most experienced pIy
sicians and he continued to grow worse and worse.
Although he during these years, great suffer-
er yet he managed to attend TO his business scarcely
losing day, and continued to do until within
about three DAYS of his death.
Last June he visited his children in Cincinnati
friends in jackson and Gallia and returned home to
all appearance much improved in health and spirits
But mo sooner had he begun TO engage in business
than his old enemy attacked him again. and with such
vgor that his once powerful constitution unable
to Withstand the assault and in less than month af-
ter his return home William Hughes lay cold in
death. Mr.. Hughes, while not without his faults
was man of sterling qualities. Reserved and quiet
in disposition, yet socable in manner and warm in
his friendship. OF an temperament, not given
to extremes on any subject, he most agreeable
coapanion, and readily made friends wherever he
went. AS neghbor and friend, he was kind and gen.
to fault. 1t appears that he was not an expert
at drawing the line where ones duty self end
ed an5i duty to ncighbor began. The Bible injunc-
tion we believe is 'love thy neighbor thyself.'
In his case, however, we have many instances where
he did more for his neighbor than for himself Pos
sessed as he was, of higher degree of intelligence
and more extensive knowledge of affairs than the
majority of the Welsh people of his times his assist
ance in matters of business were in great demand
and no matter how pressing his affairs whenever
the widow, the orphan the ilIterate and inexpe-
rienced in business called for his help it always
granted, and instance have of his ever taking
any pecuniary advantage of such No, although
during his life he transacted business for others that
involved large sums ofmoney-aHd in most cases gra
tuitously, yet safely say that William Hughes
never knowingly wronged one of them out of a cent
He proverbiai in his hospitality TWAS not
fined to the limits of relatives and friends but
whenever his fellow man. be he stranger otherwise,
applied for food shelter, it readily granted
During his former residence in Pittsburgh at peri
cd when the Welsh people in large numbers COM
ing here from Wales, his house in certain
kind of headquarters for those immigrants, where
they would stop until they could by his aid find rea
tves friends in other parts of the country,
tahlish them in that city. He almost daily seen
at the wharf lin those days railway depots
known) either receiving those who coming in,
attending to the affairs of those who going
further West or South.
The poor and needy, and the distressed, always
found in him friend. There to-day in Pitts
burgh and other parts of this country of living
witnesses who will willingly bear testimony to the
truth of our statement. DIR. Thomas in his funeral
discourse, said that he known throughout Pitts
burgh the ''Welshman's friend,n and that from
what he had seen and known of him in acquaint-
of few years, he had given him name which he
thought very appropriate, viz: Deacon of the Welsh
people" lie remarked that in churches there
deacons but they looked after the affairs of those
particular churches, but for him. he not con-
fined to any particular church, but wherever he
Welshman in distress he was ready to minister
to him. As husband and father he was kind and in
duSent while attentive TO strangers, he did not neg
lect his own family. He reared large family of
children in whom he greatly interested and for
whose welfare manifested the deepest soIicitude.
Politically he was what in these days term stall
wart Republican, and believed in a national admins
traton with plentiful supply of backbone and de-
cded policy. He was a strong anti-savery man in
those days when it considered very honorable
safe TO entertain much less express those senti-
ments.
In all matters of religion he liberal minded; of
exemplary habits and active worker in the sabbath
school, and Il strong advocate of the Temperance
cause. Indeed if may say that he had hobby, it
the subject Of temperance. Itmattored not where
he dwelt, whether in country in city, he never
failed both in public and in private raise his voice
against the evils of intemperancc. Some years
in presenting OF his with a work this sub
ject, he made this superscrption the Gy-leaf:
William Hughes to his -w with the request
that he continue to advocate and disseminate the
principles herein contained. We gratlfed to be
able say from positive knowledge of the case, that
his request in this particular has, far, been COM
piled with, and trust that 1t ever viii be.
His funeral the Friday following his death, was
largely attended by his fellow countrymen and the
manifestations of grief were general.
Thus is noted the end of long and useful life. May
we all be enabled to emulate his virtues. j. NJ. H.
CINCINNATI, August 2l 1880