Joseph Henry Hughes was born in London, Ontario on April 14, 1857, son of Joseph C. Hughes and Jane McAndless. His family farmed in Middlesex County until they retired to Brandon, MB. Huges received his education in Middlesex County then went on to attend the Toronto Normal School in 1874. He tuaght for only a short time in 1875 before going into business as a general merchant in Iderton, Ontario.
Hughes moved to Brandon, MB in 1882 and from 1882 to 1906 was engaged in the lumber business with yards in Rat Portage and Brandon and later with mils on Rainy River. His buisness partner was T.H. Patrick from 1882-1896. T.T. Atkinson was a partner in the business from 1882 until early 1888, running the company's lumber camp in the Rainy River Valley. Atkinson was replaced by a Mr. Kennedy in 1888. After disposing of the mills in 1901, Hughes & Company operated as a lumber dealer until 1908 when the lumber business was sold to Rat Portage Lumber Co., whose operations in Brandon were located on 10th Street between Rosser and Princess Avenues.
Thereafter, Hughes & Company focused on real estate, owning most of the property between 10th and 11th Streets, Rosser and Princess Avenues. The company built rental property and residences in Brandon, including the Strathcona Block on 10th Street and Hughes (Lorne) Terrace on Lorne Avenue. During this period Hughes & Company was also involved in insurance and farming, buying farmland in south eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba for lease and sale.
Hughes was a city alderman for four years, dedicating himself mostly towards improvements to the city pertaining to electrical generation, water supply and the development of the streetcar franchise. In 1911, he resigned from City Council to stand as a successful candidate for mayor. He held this position for only one year, 1913-1914. During this period Hughes, along with other prominent citizens, set up the Patriotic Fund to help look after the dependents of those going off to fight in World War I. Hughes served as chairman of the project until his death in late 1917.
In addition to his role as a prominent city businessman, Hughes was also deeply involved in the First Methodist Church, and a member of the Independent Order of OddFellows (I.O.O.F.) and the Masonic Lodge.
Joseph Henry Hughes was survived by his wife Anna Maria Hughes, whom he married in 1993, and their daughters: Alma and May (Mrs. Wilfred C. Hughes and Mrs. Charles Leemnnis) and Ruth, and their sons Percy and Harley.
Upon J.H. Hughes' death in 1917, management of the company was taken over by Willard C. Hughes, who died in 1964. Following his death the company was administered on behalf of Alma Hughes by Barry Hughes, a Winnipeg lawyer and distant relative. The company remained active in real estate and property managment, as well as farming and oil, until the early 1990s when following the death of Alma Hughes and her daughter Anna, the company was liquidated.
Custodial History
The records in the Joseph H. Hughes fonds were held in two locations prior to their donation to the McKee Archives. Family related records, including paintings by Anna Hughes, music scores, photographs and various parchments, were stored at the family residence, Lorne Terrace (133-137 Lorne Avenue Brandon, MB). The balance of the records, being the records of Hughes & Co. as the firm came to be known, were stored on the fourth floor of the Alexander Block, also known as the Hughes Block, on the west side of 10th Street just south of Princess Avenue. In the early 1990s a decision was taken by Barry Hughes, who had succeeded Willard Hughes as the President of the company, to sell Hughes & Co. Hughes directed Joe Perry, the Brandon manager of Hughes & Co. to donate the records of the Hughes family and Hughes & Co. to Brandon Univeristy. Perry supervised the transfer of the records from Lorne Terrace and the Alexander Block to Brandon University. Initially the records were located in the Physical Plant H-Hut, they were then transfered to the Brandon University Steam Plant. The family records were transfered to the Archives in 1997, while the company records remained in the Steam Plant until January 2007 when some of the records were transfered to the Archives. The remaineder of the records were moved to a storage facility on 20th Street.
Scope and Content
The Joseph H. Hughes collection is divided into three series, including: (1) Photographs; (2) Edwardian music sheets; and (3) Hughes & Co. business records.
Notes
CAIN No. 202617. The Brandon Sun, August 6th, 1917 contains a report on the death of J.H. Hughes.
Photograph shows the Strand Block on the east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba. Visible businesses in the Strand Block include: Hughes & Co. Ltd., Smart's Stationery, Waddell's, the Strand Theatre, and Metropolitan Life.
Notes
Back of the photograph is stamped: Clark Smith Studio, per July 27/59
Photograph shows the northwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on the west side of Princess Avenue appears to travelling both ways. A taxi waits at the intersection.
Above the west entrance on the corner building is an electric sign that spells "Hughes Bldg." A second storey has been added to the portion of the Doig's shop that is adjacent to the Alexandra Block.
Photograph shows the northwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on the west side of Princess Avenue appears to travelling both ways. A car waits at the intersection.
Above the west entrance on the corner building is an electric sign that spells "Hughes Bldg." A second storey has yet to be added to the portion of the Doig's shop that is adjacent to the Alexandra Block.
Fitwell Tailors, a barber shop, and the Federal Building are visible on Princess Avenue.
Notes
A negative is contained in the same enclosure with the print.
The Hughes block was built in 1916. It is located on the east side of the 100 block of 10th Street. The Strand Theatre opened November 27, 1916, and showed the city's first "talking" picture December 14, 1929. The Clark Smith Studio, to the right of the Strand sign, had been in the same approximate location since 1907, and eventually moved into the new building. The studio was purchased from Clark J. Smith by L.A. Stuckey on January 1, 1958.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
The Hughes block was built in 1916. It is located on the east side of the 100 block of 10th Street. The Strand Theatre opened November 27, 1916, and showed the city's first "talking" picture December 14, 1929. The Clark Smith Studio, to the right of the Strand sign, had been in the same approximate location since 1907, and eventually moved into the new building. The studio was purchased from Clark J. Smith by L.A. Stuckey on January 1, 1958.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
The Hughes block was built in 1916. It is located on the east side of the 100 block of 10th Street. The Strand Theatre opened November 27, 1916, and showed the city's first "talking" picture December 14, 1929. The Clark Smith Studio, to the right of the Strand sign, had been in the same approximate location since 1907, and eventually moved into the new building. The studio was purchased from Clark J. Smith by L.A. Stuckey on January 1, 1958.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
The Hughes block was built in 1916. It is located on the east side of the 100 block of 10th Street. The Strand Theatre opened November 27, 1916, and showed the city's first "talking" picture December 14, 1929. The Clark Smith Studio, to the right of the Strand sign, had been in the same approximate location since 1907, and eventually moved into the new building. The studio was purchased from Clark J. Smith by L.A. Stuckey on January 1, 1958.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Before becoming the McPherson & Bedford funeral home, I am pretty sure this was the home of Dr. A.T. Condell, who arrived in 1904, left in 1906, returned in 1908, was district coroner for 30 years and died in 1943 (Barker). LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Former McPherson & Bedford Funeral Home
Notes
Located on the west side of the 100 block of 11th Street
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