Robert Godber Hughes

HUGHES, ROBERT GODBER (1899~1981) Robert Godber Hughes was born in New York City November 22, 1899, to Reverend William and Jennie Godber Hughes. His father was a Presbyterian minister who was born in Ireland and came to America at the age of twenty-six. His mother was from Waco and the family moved to Hico, Hamilton County, Texas, when Hughes was an infant.

From age twelve, Hughes worked at odd jobs to finance his education. After graduating from Hico High School, he served in the navy during World War I. After the war he enrolled in The University of Texas from which he received a bachelor of laws in June 1926. He was admitted to the bar that same year.

After receiving his law license, Hughes moved to San Angelo, Tom Green County, shere he practiced law for twenty years. While in private practice, he also served as city attorney of San Angelo 1928-36 and district attorney of the 51st Judicial District 1943-46.

In 1947 Hughes defeated Justice Blair, a four-term incumbent on the Court of Civil Appeals at Austin. Hughes later ran unsuccessfully for associate justice of the Supreme Court of Texas in 1957 and for chief justice of that court in 1961.

Justice Hughes retired from the Court of Civil Appeals at Austin in 1971 at age seventy-one. He moved from Austin to Houston where he died August 10, 1981. He had married Elva Ann Sheffield of Grand Saline, Texas, on June 16, 1927. They are survived by four children: Robet G., Jr., Elizabeth Hughes Fosberg, Nancy Hughes Bell, and Jerry Lee.

Taken with permission from "The Court of Appeals at Austin 1892-1992" by Debrah O. Powers. State House Press. Austin, Texas. 1992."