CICERO N. HUGHES, insurance agent, Cairo, Ill., is the oldest of a family of four children, born to David B. and Mariah (Griffith) Hughes. His father was a native of Delaware, and the mother of Maryland. They were married in Missouri, where, in Knox County, Cicero N. was born on the 7th of August, 1838. The family, in 1846, removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where, ten years later, the mother died, the father surviving her until November, 1881, when he died in California. Cicero N., being possessed of robust form and abundant mental endowment, to which he added a liberal education, early found fields of usefulness opening before him whereon to bestow his energy. His early life, after concluding his school studies, was spent in the position of book-keeper for the firm of R. B. Hughes & Co., of Keokuk, for whom he worked four years, resigning that place to accept the position of teller in the bank of Charles Parsons & Co., of Keokuk, which he filled for three years, when he became Teller in the Keokuk State National Bank. This position he filled with credit to himself for seven years, and in the meantime served that city in the capacity of Treasurer, and also as a member of the City Finance Committee; and while a member of that body, as the city records show, performed a very prominent part in successfully grappling with a city bonded debt of $1,750,000, which was adjusted in the brief term of ten years. He was also a member of the City Council of Keokuk two terms. In 1865, at the close of the war, he came to Cairo, Ill., to accept the position of Teller in the First National Bank at that place, but at the expiration of one year, was made its cashier, which duties he performed with ability and entire acceptance until 1873. Since the latter date, his business has been general insurance. In politics, he wields a very potent influence, the benefits of which are enjoyed by the Republican party. For the past six years, he has been Chairman of the Republican Central Committee, and is now serving his fourth year as Chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee of the Twentieth Congressional District. For several years he has been a member of the Board of Aldermen, and is also a Trustee of the Southern Normal Institute. Being a man of broad and charitable views, during his residence in Cairo he has surrounded himself with an extensive circle of ardent friends. At the beginning of the civil war, Mr. Hughes organized a company of cavalry troops, known as the Keokuk Cavalry, for the protection of the border. He was commissioned Captain of the company, which commission he held until he was regularly mustered out. He was married in Cairo, Ill., in 1868, to Miss Ella C. Miller, daughter of John C. and Annis Miller. She was born on the 2d of March, 1848, in Carrolton, Green Co., Ill.
Extracted 31 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 22-23.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
