Preceded by James Campbell Spouse(s) Elizabeth Silliman Succeeded by Thomas E. Franklin Name Francis Hughes | Preceded by Alexander L. Russell Role Politician Political party Democratic Died October 22, 1885 | |
Succeeded by Charles Alexander Black Born August 20, 1817
Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania ( 1817-08-20 ) | ||
Francis Wade Hughes (August 10, 1817 – October 20, 1885) was a Pennsylvania lawyer and politician. In the 1850s, he served as state Secretary of the Commonwealth and as Attorney General. Although pro-Union, he was tarred as a secessionist "traitor" in the press during the 1862 elections, ending his political career. During the 1870s, he was the chief prosecutor in the Molly Maguires trials.
Life and career
Hughes was born the fifth and youngest child of John Hughes and Hannah Bartholomew. He studied law in Pottsville, Schuylkill County and Philadelphia. He was admitted to the bar of Schuylkill County in 1837. He was appointed Deputy Attorney General of the county in 1839. He would resign three times and be reappointed over the next eleven years.
He married Sarah Silliman, of Pottsville, in 1839.
Hughes was elected to the state Senate, representing his county, in 1843, resigning after one year. In 1852 he was appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth, which he resigned in 1853 to become Attorney General.
As chairman of the 1862 Democratic State Committee, Hughes was singled out for vilification. His family ties in the Confederacy were played up, and worse, a draft resolution he authored (but never introduced) for the 1860 convention, suggesting Pennsylvania might secede, was attacked. Hughes was forced to resign, and never returned to politics.
In 1876 he was the chief prosecutor in the Molly Maguires cases. He had previously never prosecuted homicide cases and frequently defended with success those facing capital punishment.