Quick Facts
Biography
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.