An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 477 PETER HUGHES, contractor and builder, also brick manufacturer, Spokane, Washington, was born in Surrey, England, in 1846. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Ellis) Hughes, natives of England, had a family of fourteen children, he being the twelfth born. Four of the sons became contractors and builders, their father having been engaged in that business. The latter was a prominent and enterprising in an, and did a large and successful business before his retirement. He died in November, 1891, aged ninety-three years. His wife passed away in 1854. Both were members of the Established Church of England, and the father was an active church worker. The subject of our sketch received his education in his native town, and there served an apprenticeship to the builder's trade. The years 1867 and 1868 he spent in the city of London, working at his trade. In September of the last named year he came to America and located in Ontario, Canada, where he engaged in business for himself as a contractor, and remained there, doing a successful business, until 1885. Wishing for a larger field of action, he came to the Pacific coast that year, and in September settled at Spokane. Here he at once bought a home and established himself in business, beginning operations on the South Side. He has erected some of the finest buildings ever put up in Spokane, both residences and business blocks. In 1889 he took the contract to erect the State Insane Asylum at Medical Lake. This is one of the finest structures on the Pacific coast. While building it he made the brick on the ground, and at the completion of the building moved the brick plant to Poene, near Spokane. Here he has a large yard with a capacity of 45,000 brick per day, and manufactures both pressed and common brick. This plant cost him about $10,000. Mr. Hughes has on the North Side, on the bank of the river, a beautiful residence, which commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country. He also owns considerable realty on the South Side. Mr. Hughes is a man of family. He was married in 1868, to Miss Mary Jarrett, a native of England. They have four children living, namely: Thomas B., now his father's bookkeeper; Minnie J., aged fifteen; Richard H., fourteen; and J.O., twelve. The family are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Hughes is a public-spirited man and has always taken an active interest in educational matters. While in Canada he served as a member of the School Board eleven years, and since coming to Spokane has served in that capacity one year. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.