James Hughes (representative)

Born on November 24, 1823, in Bladensburg, Maryland,[Note 1][1] Hughes attended the common schools, Indiana University Bloomington, the United States Military Academy and read law in 1842.[1] He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Bloomington and Bedford, Indiana from 1842 to 1852.[1] He served as a lieutenant in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War.[1] He was a Judge of the Indiana Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit from 1852 to 1856.[1] He was Professor of law at Indiana University Bloomington from 1853 to 1856.[1]

Hughes was elected as a Democrat from Indiana's 3rd congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 35th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1859.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858 to the 36th United States Congress.[2]

Hughes was nominated by President James Buchanan on January 12, 1860, to a seat on the Court of Claims (later the United States Court of Claims) vacated by Judge Isaac Blackford.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 18, 1860, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on December 1, 1864, due to his resignation.[1]

Following his resignation from the federal bench, Hughes was a cotton agent for the United States Department of the Treasury from 1865 to 1866.[1] He was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1866 to 1868, and a member of the Indiana Senate from 1868 to 1869.[1] He resumed private practice in Washington, D.C. from 1869 to 1873.[1]

Hughes died on October 21, 1873, in Bladensburg.[Note 2][1] He was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington.[2]

• United States Congress. "James Hughes (id: H000923)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• "Hughes, James - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.