Owen Hughes

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This article is about the politician. For the EastEnders character, see Owen Hughes (EastEnders).

Owen Edward Hughes (born: 1848 - died: 1932) was a judge and former territorial level politician. He served as a Member of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly from 1885 until 1888.

1 Early Life
2 Military career
3 Judicial career
4 Political Career
5 Family
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Early Life

[edit] Military career

According to Hughes, he served as a mercenary in the Franco-Prussian war. Upon learning that his brother was fighting for the other side, he and his brother both deserted. Hughes moved to the Northwest Territories as an employee of Kew Stobart and Co. and worked in Nelson River from 1873-74. In 1776 Stobard retired from Duck Lake and Hughes was appointed head of their fur trade business. In 1879 he was appointed the captain of the Prince Albert militia unit. His lieutenant was Gabriel Dumont and most of the men in their unit were Metis. The militia unit was disbanded only sightly prior to to the North-West Resistance. After Dumont's victory at Duck Lake, Hughes is reported to have said to Middleton, "Gabriel Dumont, my lieutenant, and my half-breeds who have just driven your army back. Great Scot, had I been there to lead them, we'd have driven you out of the country." ^[1] Despite the fact that many of his friends fought with Riel, Hughes was fought on the Federal Government side.

[edit] Judicial career

Hughes is listed as a witness to the signing of Treaty 5 at Norway House in 1875. Hughes was appointed as a Senior Magistrate of the District of Keewatin^[2]. He also served as sheriff of the District of Saskatchewan.

[edit] Political Career

Hughes was first elected to the Northwest Territories Legislature in the 1885 Northwest Territories election. Hughes defeated candidate Andrew Porter by eight votes to win the Lorne electoral district and his first term in office.

Hughes ran for re-election in the Prince Albert electoral district in the 1888 Northwest Territories general election. The electoral district was mandated to return two members to the assembly in that election. He was defeated by William Plaxton and John Felton Betts finishing third place in a field of three candidates.^[3]

[edit] Family

In 1881 Hughes married Isabella Inkster, a member of a prominent Anglo-Metis family in Winnipeg. They had two sons.

[edit] References

^ McCook, James (February 24, 1973). Heroes And Outlaws - Gabriel Dumont: A Rebel Who Won Deepest Respect. Saskatoon Star Phoenix.
^ Price, Elizabeth (December 13, 1930). The Fathers of the North West Territories. Calgary Herald.
^ North-West Territories: Council and Legislative Assembly, 1876-1905. Saskatchewan Archives. Retrieved on 2007-09-30.