CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HUGHES. This prominent and successful tiller of the soil owes his nativity to Jefferson County, Arkansas, where he was born, in 1840, to Matthew and Clara (Hill) Hughes, who were born in Crittenden County, Kentucky, and Maryland, respectively. Their marriage occurred on Blue Grass soil, and in Crittenden County, where Mr. Hughes has spent his entire life, with the exception of a few years when he resided in Jefferson County, Arkansas He is now over eighty years of age, has been a lifelong and successful farmer, and prior to the war had accumulated a comfortable fortune, but lost heavily during that time. His life has been active, industrious and honorable, and he has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially a member of the A. F. & A. M. His father, William Hughes, removed to Crittenden County, Kentucky, from South Carolina in a very early day, and there died in 1852, a wealthy farmer. He served in the Revolutionary War when quite young, and was also a participant in one of the later wars. He was of Irish origin. His wife, Nancy Rowe, died in Kentucky after bearing him a large family. The maternal grandfather, William Hill, came from Maryland to Kentucky with his second wife, engaged in farming in Crittenden County, and here passed from life. His first wife, the mother of Mrs. Hughes, died in Maryland. Mrs. Hughes was a worthy lady, an earnest member of the Methodist Church, and died in 1879. The following are the children born to her and her husband: Melvina (deceased); Arminta Isabelle, the deceased wife of William Crow; William, of Illinois; Harvey, of Critten-den County, Kentucky; Andrew Jackson, of Illinois; Thomas, of Crittenden County; Christopher C.; Francis M. died young; Sidney K. died young; Joseph resides in Crittenden County; Ann is the widow of Benjamin Roach; and Caroline is the wife of James Duvall, of Dyer County, Tennessee
The early life of Christopher C. Hughes was spent on a farm, with very meager opportunities for acquiring an education. During the Civil War he served in all about two years, and was part of the time with Gen. Forrest, and was a participant in many skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1867 he was married to Amanda, daughter of Samuel and Narcissa Heath, who were all born in Crittenden County, the father’s birth occurring in 1812. He is still living. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes ten children have been given: Ambiazeller; Augustus; Ernest; Rebecca, wife of Letis Thompson; Andrew Jackson; Minnie, wife of William Cline; Jennie; Mary; Charley and Gertie. Mr. Hughes made his home in Kentucky until 1870, when he came to Ripley County, Missouri, and in this section has improved two good farms. He now resides near Naylor, where he has a good and well-improved farm of 160 acres of rich bottom land. He is strictly a self-made man, for he had nothing on commencing the battle of life for himself, and is now one of the leading farmers of the county. Although he has been a lifelong Democrat and has warmly supported his party on all occasions, he has never been an office seeker. His first presidential vote was cast for Seymour in 1868. Socially he is a member of Faithful Lodge No. 304, of the A. F. & A. M.