William Hughes (senator)

William Hughes
United States Senator from New Jersey
In office March 4, 1913 – January 30, 1918
Preceded by	Frank O. Briggs
Succeeded by	David Baird
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 6th district
In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1905
Preceded by	Richard W. Parker
Succeeded by	Henry C. Allen
In office March 4, 1907 – September 27, 1912
Preceded by	Henry C. Allen
Succeeded by	Archibald C. Hart
Personal details
Born	(1872-04-03)April 3, 1872 Drogheda, Ireland
Died	Trenton, New Jersey
Nationality	Irish-American
Political party	Democratic

William Hughes (April 3, 1872 – January 30, 1918) was a New Jersey politician who served in both houses of the United States Congress.

Biography

Hughes was born in Drogheda immigrated to the United States from Ireland with his parents in 1880 and settled in Paterson, New Jersey. His first jobs were as a stenographer in New York City and a court reporter in Paterson. He served in the United States Army throughout the Spanish–American War after which he became a lawyer and practiced in Paterson.

In 1902, Hughes successfully ran for his first political office as a Democrat and represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served a single term before falling to Henry C. Allen in his bid for re-election. In 1906, he ran again for the same seat and served three more terms in the House before resigning on September 12, 1912 to accept an appointment to be judge on the court of common pleas of Passaic County.

Months later, Hughes was elected to the United States Senate from New Jersey but served less than five years before dying in office at age 45.

Hughes is buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson, New Jersey.

References

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Richard W. Parker	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 6th congressional district 1903–1905	Succeeded by Henry C. Allen
Preceded by Henry C. Allen	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 6th congressional district 1907–1912	Succeeded by Archibald C. Hart
United States Senate
Preceded by Frank O. Briggs	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from New Jersey 1913–1918 Served alongside: James E. Martine	Succeeded by David Baird