Prince Edward Island
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This article, written by Waldron Leard, appeared in the October 12, 1993 issue of The Beacon. James Joseph Hughes, the son of James and Jane (Irving) Hughes was born on August 15, 1856 at St. Mary's Road P.E.I. He was a general merchant, exporter and steamship agent based in Souris. Hughes was initially employed with Owen Connolly in Charlottetown and later worked with Peake Bros. and Co. He then entered the Merchant's Bank in Halifax (now the Royal Bank) for eight years, being employed at Halifax, Charlottetown, Summerside and Souris. In 1899 the entrepreneur established a mercantile business in Souris at the corner of Main and Church Streets. His political career commenced in 1900, defeating the incumbent Austin C. MacDonald of Montague. He was reelected in 1904 defeating John McLean of Souris by 57 votes, but lost his seat in 1908 to Lawyer Austin L. Fraser of Souris. Hughes regained the seat in 1911 over Fraser, but lost again to Charlottetown journalist and St. Peters Bay native James Mclsaac in 1917. In 1921 he ran in his last contest, taking his largest margin of victory, defeating Mclsaac and Progressive/Farmer party member Daniel Mullin. He was called to the Senate by Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King in 1925. While in office he served on House of Commons Standing Committees involving Agriculture and Colonization, Banking and Commerce, Private Bills, Railways Canals and Telegraph Lines. Hughes actively promoted the extension of the P.E.I. Railroad and was instrumental in having the Souris Breakwater upgraded. He lobbied for the construction of a new post office and customs building for the Town, (now the Souris Town Hall). Upon the Town's incorporation in 1910, Hughes was elected Souris' first mayor. J. J. Hughes was married to the former Annie McWade. daughter of Michael McWade and stepdaughter of the Hon. Thomas K. Kickham. a prominent Souris West, shipbuilder and politician. Public service for the Hughes continues through the generations as a family affair. He had two children. His son William Wade, also served as a Mayor of Souris and was a Member of the Legislative Assembly for 20 years in Fifth Kings. Wade's son James is a former Mayor and and current Souris Town Councillor. James' son Wade (the fourth generation) has also served on the Town Counci1 of Souris, acting as Deputy Mayor under Mayor Thelma MacDonald. Several years ago, James' sister Eileen, married to the late Linus Rossiter of Morell, followed in her grandfather's footsteps and currently sits in the Canadian Senate. Senator Hughes' second child. Charlotte Blanche married Joseph W. MacDonald of Grand Tracadie. MacDonald. a lawyer, served a term as King's County Magistrate. Their daughter Ellen Douglas. was elected Alderman for the City of Ottawa in 1961. She was elected to the Board of Control in Ottawa from 1963-72. She was Senior Controller and Acting Mayor of Ottawa on many occasions. She and her husband, Michael Kohler retired to Souris in 1992. Senator J. J. Hughes passed away in Souris on March 5, 1941 and is buried in St. Alexis Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, Rollo Bay.  Copyright Waldron H. Leard |
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