HUGH W. HUGHES, GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

HE PASSED PEACEFULLY INTO THE SHADOWS OF THE VALLEY.

At ten minutes past 11 o'clock Saturday morning the body of Hugh W. Hughes lay spiritless at his late residence in this village. Death came painlessly. His once strong vitality had become weakened by long illness, and he passed to the realm of shadows as peacefully as though it was but the closing of the eyes of the living in slumber.

The announcement of his demise caused no shock. It was but what the community had expected for many weeks. Deep regret, however was the general expression, for all realized the fact that death had closed the iron gates about one who was pre eminently a peer in our town and country - a man whose individuality was strongly marked, whose energy was untiring and whose enterprise, philanthropy and genius of mind were admired by all.

The deceased was a self made man. Nature lavished upon himher kindly gifts. With no educational benefits he entered life's struggle and won. Born in poverty he died in affluence, esteemed by all, and his achievements will be a monument to his memory more enduring than the granitr shaft which rises over his newly sepulchre.

Mr. Hughes was born in Nazareth, Wales, December 25th, 1836, and emigrated to America in 1857, locating at Dodgeville, Wisconsin, where he worked in the lead mines. It was owing to his residence there that he gained the soubriquet of 'Hugh Dodgeville,' a plan generally used among the Welsh to distinguish persons of the same name. He finally drifted to Scotch Hill, Fair Haven, where he worked in a slate quarry and afterwards for Evan Lloyd in Hampton. Here he toiled as a labourer and managed to save up a small amount of money. But his ambition was not satisfied and he thought he saw better wages in the coal mines of Georgia. In company with William Jones, now a New York hotel proprietor, he emigrated to that state and handled the pick.

While there the late civil war broke out and an effort was made by the confederates to force the two adventurers into service. But a passing train afforded them the opportunity to escape. It 'sloed up' in passing their vicinity, and they managed to swing themselves aboard. Mr. Hughes was without a cent of money to pay his passage, but Mr. Jones was more fortunate and aided him north. He found employment for a while in the copper mines on Lake Superior and subsequently turned up in Hampton and again worked for Evan Lloyd. In those days slate makers were not so plenty as now and manufacturers were in the practice of exchanging men. So when a Pennsylvania concern was short of help to fill an order and the Hampton manufacturer had a surplus of help, they were sent to assist the former party. It was while in that state he became acquainted with Miss sarah Lenning of Easton, pennsylvania, ans whom he married at Bethany, that state, in 1863.

About twenty-five years ago he secured his first successful start in life at North Hoosick, when he sold the lease of a black slate quarry to a Mr. Babcock, maing some $400 by the transaction. He then located in Granville, boarding at the old Washington hotel, then kept by C. B. Finch, who says that his earthly possessions consisted of a horse and an old sulkey, which he drove to Hampton every morning where he had leased a quarry. It was nip and tuck for him to make both ends meet. He opened a quarry on John Carpenter's farm, but it did not prove good. He finally got hold of a quarry on the Whiting place, made money and finally bought it for $3000. From that time to this he has prospered, and at the time of his death he was worth from $100,000 to $125,000. He also carried a life insurance of $15,000.

His business hasincreased to one of great magnitude. He not only manufactured slate, but purchased the product of others. Last year the quarry of H. W. Hughes and Son, and the Brownell, which they lease, turned out 43,200 squares, and they purchased 14,000 more. They also shipped 2,200 squares of red slates. A year ago they controlled all the red slate manufactured in the world, excepting that produced at the quarries of Hugh Williams, Middle Granville, and Mr. Ainsworth of Poultney. The deceased was unquestionably the largest producer and shipper of slate in this country, and it was owing to this fact that he gained the title of 'Slate King of America.'

The management of deceased's vast business will now devolve entirely upon his son, W. H. Hughes, who has been associated with him for some time. That he will prove successful there is little doubt. His capabilities are highly spoken of by those who have had an opportunity to test them in business transactions. He inherits many of his father's characteristics, and has plenty of push and energy. No young man in Washington county has a more propitious future, or one frought with greater responsibilities - demanding personal and minute attention. Mr. Hughes is a popular young man with a host of friends who extend to him condolence in the loss of his father, and sincerily wish him unlimited prosperity.

The deceased is also survived by a widow and three sisters, two of whom are in the old country. The other Mrs. Ann Holland, of Bangor, Wisconsin, was present at the funeral. Mr. Hughes' will was drawn by the Hon. D. M. Westfall of Cambridge. Mr. Hughes and the late Judge Betts were intimate friends, and it is a noticeable incident that he should be buried from the same house and room as was the departed judge. Mr. Betts was a shrewd and successful politician and, under his tuition, Mr. Hughes became a reflex of those predominating qualities. Mr. Hughes never was an aspirant for office but once in 1885, when he was a candidate for the republican nomination for county treasurer. He was not a candidate for congress recently as has been stated. In convention, the Washington county delegates gave him a complimentary vote.

In July 1887, Mr. Hughes was elected President of the Granville National Bank, in which he, as well as his son, William H. Hughes were stockholders, he succeeding the late David Woodard. It was a position for which his keen perception and sounf business judgement was eminently fitted, and his advice and counnsel in the management of the institution was founf invaluable. This position he held up to the time of his death. In speaking of the deceased's official connection with the bank, Cashier Woodard said to the SENTINEL representative:

As a president of the bank there could be none better. He was diligent, watchful and took great interest in the bank's prosperity. I never dealt with a person who guarded the funds of the bank more zealously than he - in fact he was just as careful as myself. He was very methodical and practical. His first business in the morning was to drive to the quarries; returning, see to his mail and then go to the bank, sit down and say: "How's things Dan : plenty of money on hand and in New York?" Then general discussion followed and matters of business were considered. Yes Mr. Hughes was a good officer, and his activity and influence were of great value.

At a special meeting of the board of directors of the National Bank, held Monday, February 10th, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS - We are called upon today to mourn the loss of our president, Hugh W. Hughes, be it
Resolved - That he always had the best interest of the bank at heart, and did all in his power by sound advice and practical help to furthe rthose interests. Serving as its president but a short time, he had the goodwill and confidence of all its officers. Kind and thoughtful, a large hearted and generous man always ready to give liberally of his means, watchful and diligent in his official capacity, we today mourn for him with sorrowing hearts.

Resolved: That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family and published in the village papers.
Resolved: That we attend the funeral in abody and that the bank building be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days.

Not for a long while has Granville seen such a gathering of people as attended the burial of Mr. Hughes on Wednesday. The house was full on both floors and a large number of persons, probably 300 stood outside while the services were being conducted. About the magnificent casket there were a large number of beautiful floral designs, which were afterwards taken to the cemetery by the directors of the First National Bank. The services were conducted by the Rev. J. C. Russum of the Northville Methodist Church and recently pastor of the church in this village. They began with a hymn in Welsh sung by a quartette consisting of Miss Kate Owen, soprano; Richard Davis, alto; Henry Williams, tenor; Richard Roberts, bass, with Robert Owens to accompany them. Mr. Russum then read a selection from First Corinthians, xv chapter, and followed by a brief, but thoughtful discourse, on the changes of this world. He was followed by the Rev. Edwards Roberts, who spoke in Welsh, setting forth the position and influence and worth of Mr. Hughes, as a citizen and a man of business, and the respect in which he was held by the Welsh people and by all in the community of which he was a part. After a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Russum, the hymn, "Never My God to Thee," was beautifully sung by Mrs. E. E. Morgan. We subjoin a brief synopsis of Mr. Russum's timely and eloquent remarks. His text was parts of the 29th, 30th and 31st verses of the seventh chapter of First Corinthians - "The time is short, it remaineth that they that weep be as though they wept not, for the fashion of this world passeth away."

We see the truth of the statement - "The fashion of this world passeth away," in our social life and in business affairs, and indeed in the pages of recent history. Men arise and do their work and pass away; fashions of business change; even empires cease and give place to other forms of power. What then is there for them who weep? Men stop and speak what words of cheer they may and extend the hand of sympathy. But soon they are drawn away and hurried on by the fierce rush of competition in business which leaves but little time to be given up to sympathy. Then it follows that they who weep are councelled to become Stoics and crush down and silence grief and steel their hearts, but there is poor comfort in that. Then comes the better counsel to bring their griefs to Jesus. He is time. He cannot be hurried. He can and will stop and wait to hear and heed, to cheer and help; as he stopped in the throng to bless the woman who came and touched the hem of his garment as he went to see Martha and Mary after Lazarus' death, as he did many other times, going where people were in grief and comforting their sorrows. He is life and immortality. He is the resurrection and the life. In His presence and under His love grief must be soothed and sorrow flee away.

Of him who is now dead what can we say? The holy word says: "He that is diligent in business shall stand before kings." Coming to this country a boy in years, he made his way until a man of business, strong in brain and strong in will, he stood before kings admitting no man his superior. Now he is gone. We lay his body in the earth and commit his soul to God who gave it. We bid him farewell. Farewell to the man of might. Farewell to the man of brain. To them now mourning we say turn to Jesus. We would fain comfort, but comfort is not in man. It is for God to give, and he will surely give it. And for ourselves we give up our loins the more tightly for the work and duty we have in the world, that when God shall call us we may be prepared to go.

At the conclusion of the able discourse, the remains were exposed, and by actual count, viewed by nearly 800 persons. The procession to the cemetery was headed by the small army of employees of the deceased. The officers of the First National and the Farmers' bank preceded the hearse in carriages. There were about seventy-five teams in the procession.

The bearers were the Hon. H. G. Burleigh of Whitehall; L. M. Howland, Fort Edward; John H. Derby, Sandy Hill; Hugh Williams, Middle Granville; Evan Lloyd, Fair Haven and David Williams. There was a number of out of town gentlemen present, among them being, in addition to those mentioned as bearers, the Hon. D. M. Westfall of Cambridge, G. L. Clemons, Dresden; J. H. Durkee, Fort Edward. Advertiser; Editor Humphrey, Poultney Journal, Messrs. Griffith and Nathaniel, J. B. Carrigan, M. B. Mahar, M. J. Jones, E. E. Lloyd, Poultney, and School Commissioner Cook of Hampton. Many sent regrets for the deceased, all business places in the village were closed from 1 to 3 o'clock.

The cask is unquestionably the finest and most costly one ever used in Granville. It was made in Oneida, New York, by Chappel, Chase, Maxwell and Co, and is of the same style as the one in which Chief Justice Waite was buried. Its cost was $400. It is of red cedar, lined with the finest of satin and silk and covered with black silk plush, the mountings being silver. The grave was brick lined and contained a stone box, which was hermetically sealed after the casket had been deposited in it. The burial was in Elmwood Cemetery. Monroe and Gray were the undertakers.

TRIBUTE OF THE PRESS.

Troy Press
Hugh W. Hughes, whose death was chronicled in Saturday's Press, was in many respects a notable specimen of the self made man. Though Mr. Hughes at the time of his death was the president of Granville National Bank, and for many years a director in that institution, it was not probably generally known that he could neither read nor write, either in his native language, Welsh, or that of his adopted country. He, however, learned to write his own name, so that all business papers requiring his signature were properly signed. This fact probably caused the majority of business men with whom he had dealings to remain in ignorance of his inability to read or write. This fact makes more phenomenal his rapid rise financially, socially and politically, which was outlined briefly in Saturday's Press. Not having had the advantage of an education himself, he saw the value of it, and consequently his surviving son is a college graduate and has been a partner in the slate business for a number of years past.

Glens Falls Times.
Hugh W. Hughes is dead. The Granville slate king and largest producer of that article in the entire United States, closed his eventful career at the early age of about 50 years. No man excelled him in the audacity of schemes he undertook whether of a business or political character. With Hughes, to succeed was success and he rarely failed in his undertaking. The indomitable invincible way in which he set out to surmount every obstacle that rose to impede his progress as a businessman or a politician completely paralyzed, and disorganized those who naturally oppossed him. There was a bright career ahead for the exemplary man, had his life been spared. This early demise does not deprive his family of a most fitting and everlasting monument to his memory, founded upon the life work of the departed who was a king in his chosen vocation, a power in the political circles of the state, and most striking illustration of the success that can be accomplished in a few years by an energetic and pushing boy arriving in this country a stranger and penniless as Hughes did about thirty years ago, when he proceeded to Granville on foot, without shoes or stockings. Then his credit was not good for a meal of victuals. Today his estate completely overshadows the combined wealth of the manufacturing interests in the town where he lives.

Troy Times.
He was one of the most prominent republicans of Washington county. Mr. Hughes had been critically ill for a long time. He was very wealthy and had a kind heart and generous hand. He bacame interested in the development of the slate quarries and the slate mantel industries of Granville and by his shrewdness and industry built up one of the largest trades in the country. He was much esteemed by his employees and fellow townsmen. Mr. Hughes was frequently a delegate to county senatorial and state conventions of the republican party.

Troy Observer.
Hugh W. Hughes, one of the most influential republicans in Washington county, died Saturday at his home in Granville. He was practically the political boss in his immediate vicinity, but as he had views of his own he was kept in the background by the leaders of the district. He was a candidate for the congretional nomination in 1888. Deceased was very wealthy and enjoyed the distinction of being the slate king. He was a generous gentleman, a respected citizen and a kind husband and father.

Troy Budget.
By the death of Hugh W. Hughes of Granville, which occurred Saturday, Washington county loses one of its wealthiest and most prominent citizens and the republican party a man who has by his influence and counsel contributed largely to past successes. Twenty-five years ago Mr. Hughes came to Granville a poor quarryman. At the time of his death he was the largest slate manufacturer in the United States.

Granville Sentinel ~ February 14th, 1890.