I. SIMPSON HUGHES, M.D., is a physician of high reputation in Springfield, and stands among the leading members of his profession in Sangamon County. He is a native of this State, born in Randolph County, January 22, 1844, and is the second son of William Stace and Maria (Simmons) Hughes, natives respectively of Virginia and Maine. The Hughes were an old Virginia family who located there in Colonial times. The grandfather of our subject many years ago left his home in the Old Dominion and started for Kentucky, and from there came to what was then the Territory of Illinois. This journey was beset with many dangers and difficulties, and while he and his family were crossing the Ohio River he was shot and killed with an arrow aimed at him by an Indian. Mrs. Hughes proceeded on her way after the death of her husband, and is numbered among the early settlers of Randolph County.
William S. Hughes was a man of sound learning and marked ability. He was famous as a lawyer in his day, and for a time held the office of County Judge. He died in 1855, lamented by the many friends whom he had gathered about him in the many years residence in Randolph County. His wife had preceded him in death, dying in 1846 when their son of whom we write was but two years old.
Dr. Hughes is the only survivor of the family. After his father's death, which occurred when he was eleven years of age, he started to walk away from his home. He had traveled a distance of thirty-two miles, and was footsore and weary, when he approached a house that proved to be the dwelling of his uncle William Simmons. This relative kindly invited him to stay over night, and then being favorably impressed with the courage, pluck and manliness of the little lad gave him a home until the breaking out of the war. Thus it came to pass that he was reared to agricultural pursuits, his uncle being the owner of the celebrated Rock Spring Farm.
In 1859 the Doctor was fortunate in meeting with B. J. VanCourt, of O'Fallon, St. Clair County, with whom he boarded. That gentleman took an interest in his young friend, and gave his youthful life an impetus, changing the current of his aspirations and giving him the start which has resulted in what he is today. The Doctor still cherishes a deep gratitude in his heart for his old friend, and feels that to him he is indebted more than to any other person for his present honorable position.
Dr. Hughes is a noble type of the volunteers of the late war, who did so much to save the Union from destruction. He had not attained his majority when he enlisted August 12, 1862 in Company I, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry. He served in the army three years with credit, and faced the hardships and dangers of a soldier's life with hardy and unflinching courage. In August, 1864, he was detailed to serve in the medical department where he remained until his final discharge. His connection with that department awakened in him an interest in medicine and led to his adopting the profession. After a thorough course of preliminary studies he entered the St. Louis Medical College from which he was graduated in 1872. While in college he alternated his attendance upon lectures with practice, he having his own way to make.
After leaving college out subject opened an office at Darmstadt, St. Clair county, whence he removed shortly after to Kane, Greene County. He practiced successfully some years, and in 1880 took up his residence in Springfield, where he has since pursued his vocation. Nature seems to have fitted him for his noble calling, as he is of a magnetic temperament, is tender and sympathetic in his relations with his patients, and his cheerful kindly presence in the sick room acts as a tonic on the invalid. He has long been prominently identified with the G.A.R. being a member of Stephenson Post No. 30, and he is Past Chief Mustering Officer, Department of Illinois. He takes an active interest in the work of that great organization, and attends all the National encampments. He is also prominent as a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In politics he is with the Republicans and is a strong advocate of the polity of his party.
Dr. Hughes was married November 27, 1878, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Col. A. Freeman. She is a woman of gracious presence and many lovely attributes of character, who is well fitted to adorn the home. Of her happy wedded life with our subject one child has been born, Arthur F.