Thomas McHugh (politician)

Thomas Morris McHugh (November 22, 1822 March 19, 1856) was an Irish American immigrant and lawyer who served as the first Secretary of State of Wisconsin. He had previously served as Secretary of the Territorial Council and the second Wisconsin Constitutional Convention.

Thomas McHugh
1st Secretary of State of Wisconsin
In office
June 7, 1848  January 7, 1850
GovernorNelson Dewey
Preceded byPosition Established
Succeeded byWilliam A. Barstow
Personal details
Born
Thomas Morris McHugh

(1822-11-22)November 22, 1822
Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland, UK
DiedMarch 19, 1856(1856-03-19) (aged 33)
Palatka, Florida
Political partyDemocratic
MotherElizabeth Norris
FatherStephen McHugh
Professionlawyer

Biography

Thomas McHugh was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, to Elizabeth Norris and the Reverend Stephen McHugh. His father was an Episcopal minister.[1] He studied law at Utica, New York, and moved with his parents to Delavan, in the Wisconsin Territory, in 1844, where his father established an Episcopal parish.[2]

In 1847, McHugh was chosen as Secretary to the Wisconsin Territorial Council, and, in 1848, was Secretary for the second Wisconsin Constitutional Convention. In May 1848, he was elected the first Secretary of State of Wisconsin. He was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin in 1849. He later served as Chief Clerk to the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 1853 and 1854 sessions.[2]

He died, unmarried, in Palatka, Florida, March 19, 1856.[2]

References

  1. Atwood, David; Tenney, H.A., eds. (1880). Memorial Record of the Fathers of Wisconsin. David Atwood. pp. 275, 276. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  2. History of Walworth County, Wisconsin. Western Historical Company. 1882. pp. 510, 679. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
John Catlin
as Secretary of Wisconsin Territory
Secretary of State of Wisconsin
18481850
Succeeded by
William Barstow


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