John and Sarah Hughes - Pioneers

John L. and Sarah K. Burleson Hughes are on the right. It is believed James E., John's brother, and his wife, Edith Tabitha Burleson, Sarah's sister, are the couple on the left. (July 4, 2008 - We now know the couple with John and Sarah are James and Edith.)

In December 1888, John L. and Sarah and at least two of the children came by wagon to Greer County, Texas. Yes, it was still Texas until the US Supreme Court decided in favor the Federal Government that due to a surveying error, the land of Greer County did not belong to Texas. So, in 1896, John and Sarah went to sleep in Texas and woke up in Oklahoma Territory.

John and Sarah came by way of Doan’s Crossing near the South Fork of the Red River. After traveling two days from there, they came near to the place which later became Martha. Listen to Sarah’s description of this trip. "We stopped the second night (from Doan’s Crossing) about where the town of Martha is now. The trail was broad where cattle had passed and we camped in the middle of the road, putting up a tent. That night one of our now famous dust storms came up and blew our tent away, and in addition to nearly freezing to death we were covered with dirt, literally buried alive."

John and Sarah homesteaded a quarter section (160 acres) and purchased another quarter section near the area of Sarah’s story. Much more could be said, but John and Sarah’s obituaries in the local paper summarize their story.

(Altus Weekly News, Dec. 11, 1919) J.L. Hughes Died
J. L. Hughes died at his home 621 West Hardy Street, at 2:05 o’clock p.m. Monday, Dec. 8th, 1919.

The funeral services were held at the family residence at 2 p.m. Tuesday, conducted y Revs. J. W. Hollums and Robt. Hodgson, and Elder W. M. Green; interment in the Martha Cemetery.
Mr. Hughes was born at Rockport, Arkansas, Sept. 14th, 1851, and was 68 years, 2 months and 24 days old at the time of his demise.

He was married to Miss Sarah K. Burleson, May 1st, 1870. To this union 12 children were born, 4 boys and 8 girls. Four of the girls have died. His sons are: W. D. Hughes, Route 3, Granite, Okla., Claude Hughes, Martha, J. T. Hughes and Lonnie [sic], Route 4, Altus.

His daughters, living, are: Mrs. J. C. Jenkins, Glendale, Araz. [sic], Mrs. W. A. Stocks, Wash., Mrs. Morgan Stallings, Headrick, and Mrs. R. N. Colyar, Altus.

He joined the Methodist church when 15 years of age; joined the Primitive Baptist Church, when 28 years old, and entered the ministry of that denomination, and was one of the leading Elders of that church to the time of his death.

He moved from Grayson county, Texas, to this part of the country in 1889, and like all old settlers, he and his good wife and devoted children suffered the privations incident to the early pioneers.

He lived most of the time on his farm northwest of Altus, but was a resident of the city for a number of years.

He held the office of Township Trustee of Martha Township, was County Commissioner for 4 years. He was a member, from the Second Ward, of the first City Council, when Altus became a city of the First Class, and was President of the Council.

In all of these official positions he exercised his best judgement, applied his rugged honesty, and worked for the best interests of the people. He was familiarly addressed as "Brother Hughes," and when any one spoke of "Brother Hughes," it was known of whom they spoke.

It was while he was a member of our first City Council, that the writer learned the ability, honesty and manly character of Brother Hughes. The writer was at that time the Mayor and we know that the old saying "That to know a man fully and truly you must rub up against him" is true for our two years work together proved his honesty, faithfulness, devotion to duty and hard labor and we unhesitatingly say that if he had been let alone to do his work as manager of the Water & Light department, he would have had water flowing into the City reservoir. But he was abrupedly [sic] stopped.

During his last illness, which was caused by the gall ducts becoming clogged, he was, while enduring intense suffering, patient, conscious of his approaching demise, he was full of hope, inspired by right living and ready to answer the summons.

In his death his aged companion has lost a noble husband, his children a devoted father and society a christian and honorable citizen.

To the bereaved relatives, we tender [sic] heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement. –J.P. Orr

Altus Times Democrat, April 28, 1938. Pioneer Woman Dies Today
Funeral rites will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the family residence at 311 East Walnut Street for Mrs. Sarah K. Hughes, age 84 years. The aged Jackson county pioneer died at the family home in Altus at 12:15 p.m. today following an illness of the past three months.

The rites will be conducted by Elder W. N. Green, pastor of the Primitive Baptist Church of Altus. Burial will be made in the Martha cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Hughes moved to this section of the country in 1888, settling in the Martha community, where they homesteaded a tract of land. Mr. Hughes died in 1919.

Surviving Mrs. Hughes are the following sons and daughters, W. D. Hughes of Granite; Claude Hughes of Tuscon, Ariz; J. G. Hughes and Lannie E. Hughes of Altus; Mrs. Clint Jenkins of Phoenix, Ariz; Mrs. Morgan Stallings of Headrick and Mrs. R. N. Colyar of Altus.