Hughes, Fred (1908-1999)

Biographical information: Fred Hughes was born on June 19, 1908, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, to Francis and Anna (Agnew) Hughes. He was a graduate of St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota Law School. He was a former member of the Minnesota State Board of Tax Appeals and of numerous local and state boards and commissions. He headed the Hungarian Relief Committee for Minnesota in 1956. In 1938, Hughes worked in the campaign and administration of Minnesota Governor. Harold Stassen. In 1942, he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican Primary for US House Sixth District. He served on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents for 12 years starting in 1961. He married Valaira M. Spaniol on October 24, 1934. Hughes died on December 7, 1999, in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Transcript summary: Fred Hughes was interviewed on February 22, 1977. Hughes recounted his early work as a customer service representative going door-to-door for Northern States Power Co. and his political work with Republican Harold Stassen. In his early years, Hughes identified as a Democrat but switched to supporting the Republican Party and Stassen. Hughes discussed antisemitism and its effect on Minnesota politics in the 1940s and 1950s. Hughes’ recalled his only political campaign came in 1942 when he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary against Harold Knutson in the Sixth Congressional District. Hughes touched upon his time as a regent at the University of Minnesota as well as other political races at the state and local levels.