Rev. John H. Hughey was born in Crittenden County, Ky., May 8, 1838. His father, J. R. Hughey was of Scotch ancestry, and his mother, whose maiden name was Crider, was Dutch. They reared a family of seven sons and two daughters, dedicating each of them in infancy by baptism to the Lord. There was an altar in that home on which was daily offered the evening sacrifice of heart devotion.

The schools of that time were supported by subscription, and only lasted through the winter months. Every boy was required to take a course in wholesome athletics, which consisted in chopping, burning brush, plowing, hoeing and other exercises such as are still common in Southern Kentucky. The religious influences in the old Piney Fork community were notably good--very little profanity, and a profound respect for aged people. The New Testament was read in the common schools, and the young people were well impressed with their obligations to God and the Savior of men.

Under these influences Brother Hughey grew to manhood. As early as ten years of age, he began to be impressed with his need of salvation, but did not make a full surrender, and receive the evidence of a Savior's pardoning grace until he was twenty, during a camp-meeting at old Piney Fork. He was at once impressed with his duty to preach the gospel, but like Moses in Ex. 3:11 he pled every imaginable excuse. He came home from school broken in health and under a cloud of mental and spiritual depression. After gaining a little physical strength he went to Illinois and taught one term of school; thence to the new goldmines of Denver, Colorado. After six months of hard and unsuccessful labor he returned to Illinois as completely broken up as a young man could be, without means and with little else except a good name. He took another school, and for six months waded through a seige of Hope and fear; yielding and dreading, praying and faltering, and was just beginning to be reconciled, when another temptation came in the form of an opportunity to study medicine in the office of an older brother. Then he tried to bargain with the Lord to lead a very devoted christian life, and be liberal with his means "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord," and there was no peace in his soul or success in his life till he made the full surrender,and resigned his will to the will of God.

A cousin who was a Methodist minister gave him valued assistance and encouragement. An uncle, who was a Cumberland elder, and his good wife gave helping hands. With a written discourse on John 3:16 he started on horseback to go a distance of sixty miles to the meeting of Ewing Presbytery, at old Union Camp ground. He was received under the care of presbytery in September 1860; and was licensed in April 1861; ordained by the McLin Presbytery in October 1862.

From that time, for a period of more than forty years he was actively engaged in the work of the ministry in Illinois, serving in five different presbyteries of the state. Previous to the bursting of the war cloud of Unionism, he ranked very well among the brethren of our church in Illlinois. He attended twelve General Assemblies. Was one of the commission of five to locate Lincoln University; and again, to select the trustees, and also the first faculty of that school. During all these years he was never accused, or summoned before any church court. In 1906, when those who had favored the merger contrary to all law and order left the Decatur Presbytery, taking the records and all they wanted that was available Brother Hughey invited all those still loyal to the church to meet in called session in his home in Decatur. The ministers present were Revs. W. L. Bankson, J. M. Wyckoff, and J. H. Hughey. For this, those who had declared themselves in the "PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U. S. A." summoned them to trial on a charge of "Insubordination and disturbance of the peace of the churches." There were five ministers and one elder posing as the court of Ecclesiastical Justice (?) in this case. After going through an indefinite routine and certifying that these brethren had always been in good standing and fellowship in the presbytery up to May 24th, they said: "Whereas, since that date the said Messrs. Bankson, Wyckoff and Hughey have by various acts renounced the Presbyterian Church and the jurisdiction of the presbytery; therefore, resolved, that the Stated Clerk be, and is hereby ordered to drop their names from the roll."

"Truth crushed to earth shall rise again,--
The eternal years of God are hers;
But error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among her worshipers."

Remembering that the founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church traveled much of the same path for truth and righteousness sake--Yea, that Christ himself "endured such contradiction of sinners against himself;" Brother Hughey "thanked God, and took courage." "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt."

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 127-130]

Rev. John H. Hughey was born in Crittenden County, Ky., May 8, 1838. He departed this life at his home in Decatur, Ill., December 8, 1923, while sitting at the breakfast table talking to his beloved wife.

He grew to manhood in the neighborhood of Old Piney Fork congregation, and at about the age of 19 years made a profession of faith in Christ and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at that place.

In the year 1858 he came to Jefferson County, Ill., where he taught a term of school, and the next year he went to the gold mines near Denver, Colo., returning in six months to Illinois, again disappointed with his ventures. He again turned to the schoolroom where he earned a livelihood for several months.

Shortly after his conversion he felt his call to the gospel ministry, but like many others he sought every excuse and refrained for several years. Finally he yielded himself to the call and was received under the care of Ewing Presbytery in September, 1860, and was licensed in April, 1861, and ordained by the McLin Presbytery in October, 1862.

From that time on he was actively engaged in the work of the ministry in Illinois, serving in five different presbyteries.

He was married to Miss Ada Funkhouser on October 17, 1865, who preceded him in death in 1887. There were six children born to this union, all of whom are living.

In 1888 he was married to Miss Luna A. Moon, who survives him. To this union one son was born, who made his home with his father and mother.

Brother Hughey has served his church in many ways. He has been commissioner to many General Assemblies, was one of the commission of five to locate Lincoln University, and again to select the trustees, and also the first faculty of that school.

Brother Hughey was a firm believer in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and loved its doctrines better than he loved his own life. He was always faithful and never missed one of the church courts unless deprived by sickness or death. The last session that he attended was the meeting of the Lincoln Decatur Presbytery, held at Lincoln, Ill., last March, when he said that it would in all probability be the last meeting that he would attend. He administered the sacrament of the Lords Supper at that session, and it was a great feast to his soul as well as to others. His admonition and counsel will be missed in the presbyterial meeting, as will be his presence, but his memory and influence will be present just the same.

He leaves a wife, seven children, one brother and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure.

The funeral was held at his home in Decatur, Ill., December 10, 1923, at 2:30 o'clock by Rev. John A. McLane, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Bethany, Ill., assisted by Revs. T. N. Hays, of New Holland, Ill., Dr. Smith, of the M. E. Church, W. C. Lloyd, of Lincoln, and W. C. Sanders, of Bethany, Ill., in the presence of a large audience of friends who came to pay a last tribute of respect to one who had been such a great blessing to them and the community.
John A. McLane.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, January 10, 1924, page 16]

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1924, page 135]

Hughey, J. H. A Centennial Family Record of Our Family from 1776 to 1876. N.p: n.d. [1 copy in archives]