William Edgar Hughes facts for kids

William Edgar Hughes (born March 15, 1840 – died July 29, 1918) was an important American politician and businessman from Texas. He lived through a very interesting time in American history, including the Civil War, and helped build up Texas after the war.

Early Life and Moving to Texas

William Edgar Hughes was born in Morgan County, Illinois, on March 15, 1840. His parents were John and Eliza Hughes. He went to Illinois College and then started studying law.

In 1859, when he was about 19 years old, William had an exciting adventure. He moved 3,000 sheep all the way from Missouri to Texas! He liked Texas so much that he decided to stay. He settled in Dallas County and continued to raise sheep there.

Serving in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began in 1861, William was visiting his family in Illinois. Texas decided to leave the United States and join the Confederate States. When William returned to Texas, he joined the Confederate Army.

He became part of an artillery battery, which is a group of soldiers who operate large guns. His group fought in many battles across the western part of the war. During the Battle of Chickamauga, he was injured in his left hand.

By the time of the Atlanta campaign, William had been promoted to captain. He then joined a cavalry brigade, which is a group of soldiers who fight on horseback. In January 1865, he became the leader of the Thirteenth Confederate States Cavalry. After the war ended, William settled in Weatherford, Texas.

A New Start in Texas

After the Civil War, William Hughes started fresh. For five months, he worked as a schoolteacher. Then, he managed a place that made salt in Shackelford County. He also kept studying law and eventually became a lawyer.

On November 21, 1867, William married Annie C. Peete, who was from Fort Worth.

Public Service and Business

William Hughes became involved in politics. In 1870, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He represented Weatherford as a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the state legislature from February 1870 until he resigned in March 1871.

In 1873, William moved to Dallas. There, he became the very first president of the City Bank of Dallas. This bank later changed its name to the City National Bank. While working at the bank, he also continued to practice law. He also bought and sold livestock and real estate.

William Hughes was a busy man with many different jobs. In 1880, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to become the president of a company called the Continental Land and Cattle Company. But he later returned to Dallas. In 1884, he was elected president of another bank there, the Exchange (National) Bank.

In 1889, William moved to Denver, Colorado. Two years later, he helped start a company called the Continental Trust Company. From 1891, he also served as president of the Union Trust Company in St. Louis at the same time.

Later Life

In 1912, William Hughes wrote a book about his life. He did this because his only granddaughter suggested it. He passed away in Denver, Colorado, on July 29, 1918.