Hugh Means
was born October 14, 1812, at Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son of Colonel John Means, who has a separate sketch herein. His mother was Annie Williamson, sister of Rev. William Williamson, also sketched herein. His father and mother moved to Adams County when Hugh was but seven years of age. He received his education mostly in Ohio at West Union, Ripley, and other schools. He commenced his business career at West Union, at about sixteen years of age, with his brother, Thomas W. Means, who was engaged in merchandising there. He remained with his brother, Thomas, about three years, and then went to Union Furnace in 1831, first as a store-keeper, and afterwards sold their iron.
In 1835 he went to Greene County, Alabama, and engaged with his brother, James W., in merchandising. In 1837 he returned to Ohio on account of his father's death on November 15, 1837, and remained on the home farm in Sprigg Township, until his mother's death, November 30, 1840. In that year he was married to Miss Ella Ellison, who died in Catlettsburg in 1851.
In October, 1843, he was elected to the Legislature from Adams County, and served one term. At that time, Adams, Fayette, and Highland were in one legislative district, and had two representatives. Burnham Martin, of Fayette County, was his colleague. After this, he was engaged at merchandising at Portsmouth, Ohio.
In 1847 he became one of the partners in building Buena Vista Furnace in Boyd County, Kentucky, with James W. Means, John Culbertson, and William Foster. In 1848 he built a residence in Catlettsburg, Ky., and removed his home there.
In 1851 he was married to Miss Amanda Wilson. He resided in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, until 1856, when he removed to Ashland, Kentucky, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. He was one of the charterers of the Bank of Ashland, and was its president from its organization. He was one of the original owners of the town plat of Ashland, and helped to organize the town, and as such, was one of the original members in the Ashland Coal and Iron Company.
In 1872, when the Ashland National Bank was organized, he was made its president, and continued such until his death.
Politically, he was a Whig so long as that party existed. At the organization of the Republican party, he identified himself with that, and continued affiliated with it all his life. During the Civil War he was a staunch friend of the Union, and did all he could for its cause. However, he never put himself forward in any political movement.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1849. He was elected to the office of deacon, and was treasurer for many years. In 1872 he was made a ruling elder in the church, and served as such during his life. This was a position for which he was eminently fitted in every way. He kept himself well informed on all current topics of the day, and was deeply interested in all ethical questions. He, however, had no taste for speaking in public assemblies, but when he did speak, his character and life spoke for him. He was of polished manners, refined in taste, exceptional in correct habits, of the strictest integrity, and of great purity of life. He was respected, honored, and loved by all who knew him. His deeds of charity were numerous, but were done so unostentatiously that their extent could never be told. He had an interest in every enterprise of the church. He was diligent in his business and in his work for the church. In person, he was tall and slender, with admirable bearing, but always of a delicate constitution. He had no childern by his first marriage. By his second he had four. His eldest, William, died in 1878. His son, Charles W. Means, is cashier of the Ashland National Bank.
He died December 15, 1884. His widow and two daughters reside in Asheville, North Carolina.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900