Person:Eli Hughes (1)

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ELI HUGHES. Eli Hughes, of Hartford City, ex-county treasurer of Blackford county, was born in Jackson township, that county, three miles east of Hartford City, on the farm upon which stands the Gochnauer school house. This farm was entered by Samuel Gochnauer, grandfather of Mr. Hughes, and it was deeded to him, the first deed given for the land being dated February 19, 1840. His parents were David and Eliza (Gochnauer) Hughes, the former of whom came from Virginia and was an only child. About all that is known of him is that he was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. David Hughes and Eliza Gochnauer were married in Jackson township, and Eli was their only child, the mother dying when he was by two weeks old. David Hughes married, for his second wife, Tabitha Blunt, of Harrison township. He was a farmer by occupation, but also ran a mill, finally settling at Greenland, this county, where he died at about fifty-six years of age. His wife has also died, but some of their children are still living in the county.

Samuel Gochnauer, grandfather of the subject, was a native of Virginia, but of German parentage. He married Miss Catherine Waldamoth, and about 1837, when their children were all grown to mature years, removed from Virginia to Indiana, locating first in Henry county and later in Blackford county. After looking over the land, in company with his son-in-law, Jacob Emshwiller, he walked to Fort Wayne, going through the woods, guiding their course by the compass, and accomplishing the journey, a distance of fifty miles, in one day ; there they entered the land. The first log house erected by Mr. Gochnauer was what may be with propriety called a "homemade" one, he himself having doen all the work connected with the preparation of the materials of which it was constructed. Here he lived and died and with his wife lies buried in what may be called a neighborhood cemetery, on his farm. He was a typical pioneer, a large, stron, rugged man. By trade he was a cooper, and carried on this business in connection with the management of his farm. While not an office seeker, yet he served as county commissioner one term. He was an old-line Jackson Democrat, first, last and all the time. As a mechanic he built grain cradles, spinning wheels and looms, and also made furniture, one of his tables, made of black walnut wood, in the first place split out of the tree and then finished up in fine style with an adze, being still retained in the family of Mr. Hughes as a souvenir of ancient days. His family consisted of three daughters and two sons, the sons dying while yet young. The daughters were as follows: Mary Ann, wife of Jacob Emshwiller ; Catherine, who married Joseph [sic] K. Hobson, and is now living in Allen county ; and Eliza, the mother of our subject, who died, as stated above, when he was two weeks old.

Mr. Hughes, after the death of his mother, was taken by his grandfather to rear, and upon reaching a sufficient age assisted in the clearing up of the farm. For his services thereon in clearing and managing it, it was deeded to him by his grandfather, and in return for this act of generosity he cared for his grandfather and grandmother during the remainder of their lives, the former of whom was somewhat more than seventy years of age at the time of his death, and was well known by all living in the vicinity. Mr. Hughes was married October 25, 1860, to Miss Susan Ashbaugh, a native of Pennsylvania who was brought to Indiana by her parents, Jesse and Catherine Ashbaugh, they locating in Washington township when she was ten years of age. Here her father died when seventy-three years old and her mother at the age of eight-five in Hartford City.

After his marriage Mr. Hughes conducted the farm until he was elected treasurer of the county, in November, 1878, in which office he served two terms. Previous to his being elected to this office he had held all the local township offices, such as supervisor, etc. Like his grandfather Gochnauer, he is a Democrat, taking great interest in the welfare of his party, and continues to attend local, district and sate conventions. He has also attended several national conventions, is well known to the leaders of the party, has much influence in county and state campaigns and carries on much of the important work in his county and district. After the expiration of his last term as county treasurer he established himself in the grocery business, continuing in that line for sixteen years, when he sold out to his son, who continues to conduct the store up to the present time.

Mr. Hughes has always been a public-spirited citizen, ready at all times to aid in promoting internal improvements, both of a public and private nature. He was one of the first men in this part of the state to put in a gas well, his being the second gas well in Indiana. Ever since that time he has retained his interest in this line of industry. Having sold his farm, he invested his means in Hartford City property, erecting several residences which he still owns. He also erected the two-story brick building occupied by him so many years when in the grocery business, and which is now occupied by his son. June 18, 1900, Mr. Hughes opened a general feed, flour, seed, tobacco and cigar store, wholesale and retail, called the New Idea Store.

Mr. Hughes and his wife are the parents of seven children, as follows: Malinda, who married Michael Schmidt, both of whom are deceased, but who left two children, Lena M. and Roy. M. ; Jane, who died in infancy ; Catherine, who married John David Tate, of Hartford City ; Samuel, engaged in the grocery business ; Ella, wife of Chester Brickley, of Hartford City ; Flora, wife of Franklin F. Smith, of Hartford City ; Walter and Eliza, the latter two living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are members of the Lutheran church at Hartford City, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

... The Hughes family to which Mrs. Briekley belongs had a part in the
pioneer development of Indiana. David Hughes, father of Eli and
grandfather of Mrs. Briekley, was born in Virginia, of Scotch ancestry,
and the name has been identified with Rockingham county prior to the
Revolutionary War. David Hughes was born about 1800 in Rockingham
county, and married there Eliza Gochnauer, also a native of Rocking-
ham county. She died when her son, Eli, was an infant. For his sec-
ond wife David Hughes married Martha Blunt, and in 1836 they moved
out to Indiana and began life as pioneers on raw government land.
David Hughes died when about sixty years of age, and his second wife
survived him and was also past three score mark. They left a family
of six or seven children, two of whom are yet living.

Eli Hughes, who was the only child of his mother, was reared by his
maternal grandparents, Samuel and Catherine (Gochnauer) Gochnauer. ...

... Eli Hughes was born on the old homestead on section 6 of Jackson
township, February 19, 1840. That was the scene of his boyhood and
youth, and while on his grandfather Gochnauer 's farm he gave his
labors to clearing up and improving much of the land. Eventually he
came to possess one hundred and ninety-six acres, and continued its
active management until 1878. In that year public duties withdrew him
from active farming, and he moved to Hartford City to assume the
duties of the office of county treasurer, in which he served four years,
two terms. After that he engaged in the grocery business in Hartford
City, and purveyed reliable goods to this community for twenty years.
Mr. Hughes is still living, having retired from business about ten years
ago, and is the owner of much valuable property in the county seat.
His home is at 501 East Water street, For the past eight years he has
served as a member of the county council, having been a member of that
body practically since its creation. Politically he is one of the most
influential men in Blackford county, and has been a delegate to county,
congressional and state conventions.

Mr. Eli Hughes was married in Washington township of Blackford
county, to Susan Ashbaugh, who was horn in Pennsylvania, in 1844,
and when a young girl was brought by her family to Blackford county,
locating on a new farm in Washington township. ...

... Mr. and .Mrs. Eli Hughes are the parents of seven children: Malinda,
deceased; Catherine. Samuel J.. Flora, Emma, deceased; Louisa and
Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are both active members of the Lutheran
church of Hartford City. ...