Los Angeles County
Biographies
THOMAS HUGHES
HUGHES, THOMAS, Manufacturer, Los Angeles, California, was born at Rice’s Landing, Greene County, Pa.., August 25, 1859, the son of James Hughes and Fanny Cline. He was married in June, 1881, to Mrs. Perry Mosher in New Mexico.
He received his education in the common schools of his home town, and when he was nineteen years of age went to Kansas to work, and thence, in 1880, to Albuquerque, N. Mex., where he engaged in the contracting business. He stayed there until 1883, but, foreseeing the growth of Los Angeles, went there. His first work was in a planing mill, where he formed the basis of his success later in life.
After working a year, he invested his capital, five hundred dollars, in two machines and went into the sash business for himself. He had success and in 1896 organized the firm of Hughes Brothers, changing this in 1901, to the Hughes Manufacturing Company, of which he is president. His plant today represents a value of $700,000, employs five hundred men and is considered the largest of its kind in the West.
He also is active in oil production, having with Ed. Strassburg organized the American Oil Company, one of the first formed in the Southwest. This company has been a steady producer, and has been one of the most conservative and profitable. He has helped organize other companies. He is the owner of considerable property in Los Angeles and in the adjacent cities of Southern California.
Mr. Hughes is a purist in business and politics, and although he has never held public office has done much to aid the city and keep its politics clean.
He is an Elk, a member of the Driving Club, Los Angeles Country Club, San Gabriel County Club and former president of the Union Club.
Transcribed 5-15-10
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 417, International News Service, New York, Chicago, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta.
1913.
© 2010 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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