Sacramento County

Biographies

CHARLES COLFAX HUGHES

Charles Colfax Hughes, superintendent of the city schools of Sacramento and widely known in educational circles, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, November 7, 1868, and was a lad of eight summers when in 1876 his parents, James and Louise Wilcox (Gatten) Hughes removed to California. Here he pursued his education, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation from the Leland Stanford, Jr., University in 1895. Since that time his entire attention has been devoted to educational work. He was principal of the elementary school at Mill Valley in 1895 and 1896, after which he was connected with the grammar schools of Alameda, California, until 1899. In the latter year he was appointed city superintendent of schools in Alameda and occupied the position until 1904, when he joined the American Book Company, which he represented until 1910. He then resumed active educational work and was city superintendent of schools at Eureka, California, until 1912. Since that date he has been superintendent of the city schools of Sacramento, which he has brought to a high standard of efficiency and service. His labors have resulted in the introduction of various progressive measures and Sacramento has every reason to be proud of her school system.

Mr. Hughes has left no stone unturned in his efforts to perfect himself in his chosen line of work and render his labors of the greatest possible benefit to his fellowmen. He holds life membership in the National Education Association and is active in the State Teachers Association of California and acted as president of the Northern California Teachers Association in 1924-1925. He has served as lecturer at the summer sessions of the University of Oregon and at the southern branch of the University of California at Los Angeles, and his broad experience and comprehensive research have enabled him to speak with authority upon many questions of importance in the educational field. Moreover, he is the author of courses of study and of school reports from 1913 to 1925.

Mr. Hughes was married in 1910 to Miss Velma Ocella Ives, of Berkeley, California, and their children are Charles Colfax, Jr., Henry Suzzallo and Ellwood Cubberley. That Mr. Hughes has attained high professional rank is indicated in the fact that he is mentioned in “Who’s Who in America.” He is a football enthusiast and is fond of outdoor life, particularly camping. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the High Twelve Club, a Masonic organization, and the Sacramento Rotary Club. In religious faith he is a Unitarian and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has a wide acquaintance in his adopted state and by reason of his personal worth as well as his professional ability enjoys the unqualified confidence, high respect and good will of all who know him.

Transcribed by Debbie Walke Gramlick.

Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 pgs. 333-334. The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.

Sacramento County Biographies