The obituary notice of Frederick Hughes was published on the front page of the newspaper accompanied by a two column photograph of him. It states...
"The venerable and widely known subject of this sketch was one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Tioga County. He was born in Hughesville, Lycoming Co.,Nov. 13, 1820 and died at his home at Mitchels Creek, April 25th, 1906. He was the oldest son of Jeptha and Betsy Hughes who came from a thrifty Pennsylvania German stock .
A note from her obituary states, "She was born on the spot where the Tioga Junction depot now stands, a mile and a half from where she died."
She was the daughter of Henry Van Wey and his wife Elizabeth Middaugh. The Van Weys were of Holland Dutch descent. Information found in the article "Chief Settlers between 1820 and 1830", located in the book, Tioga Township and Borough, by Henry H. Goodrich mentions Henry Van Wey as one of the earliest settlers in the area.
"Dr. Pliny Power came and settled for a time with his brother Dr. Simeon Power, both of whom were early settlers in Lawrence Township; ... Following him in the order of settlement at Tioga, as near as can now be stated, were Henry Van Wey, lumberman and farmer..."
Harriet's brother, John Van Wey, married Polly Hughes, sister of Frederick Hughes. These two families and Jeptha Hughes are neighbors on the 1850 census in Lawrence twp., Tioga Co. For many years, her granddaughter Phoebe Hughes Button was the family historian. Phoebe's notes in the record book of the Hughes Reunion states that Harriet's father's name was Henry Van Wey and that her mother's name may have been Betsy.
Frederick and Harriet are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Tioga PA. Three generations of the Hughes family are buried here. Their gravestone is in the same location as that of Frederick's father and mother, Jeptha and Betsy Hughes, and Frederick's son, Simeon.
The descendants of Frederick and Harriet Hughes continued to hold summer time family reunions at the Hammond Dam Park in Tioga, PA. for over 75 years. Descendants of the Hughes family live in many places throughout the United States, however there are many Hughes descendants still living in the Tioga area.
Please see the Thomas Hughes Descendants - 5 Generations List page.
Also see the Jeptha Hughes page for Frederick's father's story and the Thomas Hughes page for the story of his grandfather.
Reference Newspaper obituary, "The Late Frederick Hughes", The Argus, Tioga, Friday, May 4, 1906. With photo.
Links to other sites on the Web
Updated Photo page with four generations of the Hughes Family
of Tioga PA.
Cynthia's Family Lines
This page and all contents Copyright 1997, 2003, Up Dated 2009 - � Cynthia H. Smith
Additional documentation is available. I have not posted my references and sources here, but can provide them to interested persons. Additions and corrections are welcome. Please email me at the address below.
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