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EARLY SETTLERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY - 1876
By John Carroll Power

These biographies were submitted by a researcher and evidently abstracted from the 1876 History of Sangamon County, IL. Errors could occur, so one should always verify the correctness by obtaining copies of vitals and performing all necessary research to document what is contained herein.




HUGHES, CHARLES F., was born July 9, 1807, in Baltimore, Md. His father, John Emanuel Hughes, was born March 13, 1767, in Montpellier, France, and married in Baltimore, Md., U. S. A., Oct. 7, 1806, to Juliana S. B. Wiesenthal, who was born in Baltimore, Jan. 12, 1785. Her father was physician to Frederick the Great, of Prussia. Charles F., the subject of this sketch, graduated at St. Mary's College, Emmettsburg, Md., at the age of twenty; studied medicine under Dr. Edrington, in Baltimore, and graduated three years later at Maryland Medical College, Baltimore. His health being impaired, he took a sea voyage, immediately after graduating. On their arrival at Guatemala, Central America, they were surprised by the negroes, who were in successful insurrection. They killed all the officers, crew and passengers, except Dr. Hughes and another physician, whose lives they spared solely because they were "medicine men." For seven years he practiced his profession among those savages, watching for an oportunity to escape. He was always under surveillance when vessels were in port. Finally, while discharging his duties in a hospilal near the landing, he saw an American vessel approaching, and secreted himself among some barrels until the way was clear, when he reached the vessel and returned to his native land. He was married, Sept. 3, 1825, to Sarah J. Chambers, who was born in 1812, in Chestertown, Maryland. She was the daughter of Gen. Campbell Chambers, an officer of the war of 1812. He was born April 2, 1783, and married Jan. 18, 1807, to Sarah J. Clarkson, who was born Oct. 18, 1787, in Kent county, Md. Dr. Hughes came to Springfield in 1836, and engaged in the drug business for a short time. For two years he practiced medicine in the different small towns of the county, then resumed the drug business in Springfield. Dr. Hughes and wife had six children, two of whom died young. Of the four living children--

ANNA C., born July 23, 1836, in Baltimore, was married Oct. 31, 1861, in Springfield, Ill., to Charles W. Salisch. See his name in connection with the Capps family.

MARY E., born Oct. 14, 1838, in Sangamon county, was married Feb. 4, 1861, in Springfield, to Herman H. Abrams, who was born in 1837, in Springfield.

They have four living children, NINA, JOHN, VICTOR and FREDERICK. Mrs. Abrams died Oct. 8, 1874, at Cameron Junction, Missouri, and is buried at Palmyra, Mo. Mr. Abrams and his children reside at the former place.

JOHN C., born Jan. 10, 1841, in Mt. Auburn, Christian county, Illinois, enlisted August 15, 1862, in Co. B, 114th Ill. Inf., and was appointed Corporal. He was at the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and in the battle of Jackson, Miss., and was discharged on account of physical disability, Sept. 18, 1863. John C. Hughes was married Feb. 14, 1865, in Springfield, Ill., to Sarah C. Henry, who was born Dec. 19, 1845, near Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county. They have four living children. BERTHA B., OLIVE I., S. LUCRETIA and KATE. Mr. Hughes has been employed in the book room of the State Journal Company for sixteen years--except the time spent in the army--the last six years as Superintendent of the State printing, is so engaged at the present time--1876--and resides in Springfield.

JULIANA B., born Sept. 4, 1843, in Rochester, Sangamon county, Ill., was married March 20, 1865, in Palmyra, Missouri, to Oliver T. Prickett, who was born Feb. 26, 1845, in Fairmont, Virginia. They have two children, RALPH and GUY, and reside at Carbondale, Ill.

Dr. Charles F. Hughes was one of the founders of the Episcopal church in Springfield, and was treasurer of the same several years. He died Sept. 2, 1850, and Mrs. Hughes died May 20, 1871--both in Springfield.

Dr. Hughes was the eldest of three brothers and two sisters, all natives of Baltimore, Md. Andrew W. came to Springfield in 1836, and after a stay of a year or two, returned east and died in 1875, in Washington, D. C. John T. was a Surgeon in the U. S. army, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. He died in the Island of St. Thomas, in 1848. Maria E. was married in Baltimore to Henry Reigart, and resides there. Sophia J. came to Springfield in 1840, and married Mr. Biersted in 1858. He died in 1860, in Carrollton, Ill., and she resides in Baltimore. Mrs. Juliana S. B. Hughes, mother of the above named, came to Springfield with her daughter, Sophia J., in 1840, and died here in 1848.




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