29) James A. Hughes: Elected mayor for the City of Welland in 1922, 1923 & 1924
Vital statistics
Birth: June 30, 1874 at Briton Ferry, Wales
Death: November 16, 1957 at Welland, Ontario, Canada (age 83)
Burial place: Holy Cross Cemetery (Find a Grave)
Parents: Robert / Martha
Spouse: Bridget (née O’Sullivan)
Children: Catharine
Occupations: Builder / Bricklayer
Profile
James A. Hughes was born June 30, 1874 at Briton Ferry in Wales to Robert and Martha Hughes. He immigrated to North America in 1978 when he was thirty three years old, residing in Pittsburgh for a time, then coming to Welland in 1910.
His trade was bricklaying, and he started his career in Welland by purchasing the old Baptist church on Church St. in order to use the bricks to build three to six residential houses. Ever since then his business grew and he became a property owner on an extensive scale.
His reputation grew quickly, and as a civic-minded citizen he ran for councillor in 1913 winning his election. He was councillor twelve times between 1913 and 1932. He ran for mayor in 1922, 1923, and 1924 winning an election over a different challenger each time: in 1922 he beat Jay Clarke Diffin 732 to 642, in 1923 he beat Samuel Leslie Lambert 978 to 582, and in 1924 he beat John J. Patterson in a tightly contested, high-turnout vote 1199 to 1122. He must not have been universally beloved, as after his election victory in 1924, a short editorial in the Welland Tribune and Telegraph commented upon his remark to run for a third term “because he had met so much arrogance.” The editorial said he must have been contemplating himself in the mirror when he said that.
In his obituary more was written explaining his character: “Although he seemed uncompromising in some respects, Mr. Hughes was extremely generous. He was known to give coal and turkeys at Christmas time to needy families, and in many instances purchased medicines for friends who were unable to do so themselves.”
In 1925 he decided to return to the councillor ranks (alderman) again instead of the mayoralty. In the newspaper he ran this advertisement to gain votes: “It gives me great pleasure to take advantage of this opportunity to thank you one and all for your support at the elections, and especially the respect and courtesies during my term of office as Mayor of this city for three years. During that term I have endeavored to do the right thing according to my judgment at all times. You know my record, and if elected I promise you that my time and experience will be devoted to the welfare of the city and its citizens.” He did win election as councillor and served again multiple more years up to 1932.
He was married to Bridget (née O’Sullivan) with whom he had one daughter, Catharine. Bridget pre-deceased him, and he remarried in 1949. James died on November 16, 1957 at the Welland County Hospital, at the time he was living at 200 Hellems Ave. The current mayor the the time Armour McCrae said that in the service James provided Welland, he “had made a contribution to the well-being of the city.” In 1962 Danforth Ave. which is south of Lincoln St. and a few blocks east of Southworth St. was renamed to Hughes Ave. in James’ honour.
Sources
- “Editorial Notes.” The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, January 8, 1924.
- “Former Welland Mayor, James A. Hughes Is Dead.” Evening Tribune, November 18, 1957.
- “Vote James A. Hughes for Alderman for the year of 1925.” The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, November 27, 1924.
- “Tribute Paid Jas. A. Hughes.” Evening Tribune, November 20, 1957.
- The Welland Historical Society, “What’s in a Name? The Origins of the Street Names for the City of Welland” (2005), 83.