Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 666–667; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Delaney E. Hughes, minister of the Christian Church at Cuba, was
born in Fulton County, Ill., September 11, 1852, and is thus in the
prime of a stalwart manhood. He has devoted his life to the
salvation of others, and in his chosen field has been greatly
prospered. In all things he proves that his desire is not “to be
seen of men” or win their approbation, but to earn the consciousness of
discharging the ordinary duties of life in an upright manner. Not
only is he highly esteemed by those of his own church, but his name is
the synonym of integrity and probity where it is known.
Near Wheeling, Va., Robert Hughes, the father of our subject,
was born in 1783, and there lived until he had attained years of
maturity. He followed the occupation of a farmer and was married
three times, his third wife bearing the name of Hannah Reeves
(Schooley) Durham. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 11,
1817 and bore her husband one child, a son, Delany. In 1832
Robert Hughes emigrated to Illinois and settled in Fulton County, where
he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in Farmers’
Township. He accumulated a vast property, which, at his death,
was divided among his heirs.
In his religious belief the father of our subject was first a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and later of the Christian
Church. He was always deeply interested in religious matters, and
was an exhorter and faithful worker in the church. Every resident
of the township and county held him in high regard, and because of this
affection which he always inspired in the hearts of acquaintances, he
was called “Uncle Bob” by friends and neighbors. By his first
marriage he had four children, of whom two are living – James who
resides in Lathrop, Mo., and Cintilda (Mrs. Carithers), who lives in
Farmers’ Township. Of his second marriage were born two children
– Susan, Mrs. Fleming, of McLean County, Ill., and Ann, Mrs. Man Meter,
of Bloomington.
Delaney Hughes was only ten years of age at the time of his
father’s death, and received his first educational training in Farmers’
Township. When twelve years of age he entered Abingdon College,
Knox County, Ill., and there completed a classical course. After
leaving college he engaged in the jewelry business, but continued his
studies, devoting considerable attention to music, in which he made
marked progress. He composed both secular and sacred music, his
selections being published in Chicago and Cincinnati. His music
is generally admired, and he has won fame as a composer. One of
his bet composition is “Out in the Storm,” a duet published by J. C.
Groene & Co., Cincinnati. He also composes band music and
arranges beautiful sections.
In 1885 Mr. Hughes entered the ministry of the Christian Church
and at the time he was called to take charge of the church at Cuba, was
working as a jeweler. However, he gave up his secular pursuits
and immediately entered upon the duties of a faithful and conscientious
minister; in less than six months he had added seventy-three new
members to the church, and shortly afterward held a revival at
Ellisville, and there converted eighty-three persons. During the
time he has had charge of this church he has added two hundred members
to the fold, and greatly increased the size of the Sunday-school,
besides holding revivals elsewhere. In his home life as well as
in his ministerial labors Mr. Hughes has been greatly aided by his
estimable wife, to whom he was united in marriage December 31,
1871. Prior to her marriage she was Miss Arminda C. Powell, and
her parents, Joseph C. and Caroline (Baughman) Powell, were native of
Ohio and Illinois respectively. At different periods of his life
Mr. Powell was a farmer, merchant and banker, and is now living retired
at Table Grove, this county, at the age of sixty-four years. His
wife died in 1888. She was a consistent member of the Christian
Church, to which Mr. Powell also belongs.
Immediately following their marriage our subject and his wife
located in Table Grove, but eight years afterward removed to Clay
County, Neb. From there they removed to Iowa, whence after a
short sojourn they settled in Illinois, and have continued to reside at
their pleasant home. To them have been born seven children,
viz: Arla J., born September 1, 1872, Iva, born March 21, 1875
(deceased; Jessie, born June 6, 1876 (deceased); Vere, born August 13,
1878; Dora, August 5, 1881, Royal D., September 13, 1884, and Eva M.,
October 4, 1887. The children are receiving good education sin
the schools of Cuba, and are being prepared for responsible positions
in the world, Arla J. having been graduated from the High School in
1890 and now engaged in the Watch Factory at Springfield, Ill.
Mr. Hughes is a popular man, an energetic citizen and a
self-sacrificing minister. He is a strong believer in
prohibition, and supports the Prohibition party by his influence and
vote. His well-balanced and well-stored mind and manly character
have won for him popularity among his parishioners, while his natural
ability, acquired intelligence and oratorical powers render his
discourses winning and effective.
