Joseph F. Hughes, a prominent citizen of Osborne, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., October 21, 1815. He is the son of Samuel M. and Nancy E. (Price) Hughes, both natives of Jessamine County, Ky. After their marriage in their native county, they located on a farm, and about 1820 immigrated to Missouri, and soon settled in Howard County, where they died. The father was born August 28, 1782, and died November 20, 1843. The mother was born December 20, 1783, and died about 1859. The father was a Whig, and he and wife died members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Joseph F. is the fifth of ten children-eight sons and two daughters. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received a liberal education in the common schools, which was finished by attending a well-known college in Boone County, Mo. After completing his education, he taught for several years in Howard County, Mo. On August 30, 1842, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Ferguson, daughter of James and Kitty (Lingenfelter) Ferguson. She was born on May 3, 1823. They have ten children-six sons and four daughters. About five years after marriage Mr. Hughes engaged in farming in Howard County until 1866, when he moved to St. Louis County, and was there a tiller of the soil. About 1885 they removed to Osborne, where they have since resided. He owns the whole of Section 16, in Colfax Township, and 1130 acres in another part of the township; also 320 acres in Clinton County. His sons are on the farms.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 568.