Foundation of Donetsk John Hughes (businessman)

hughes home in hughesovka, c.1900



same house in donetsk, 2006

in 1868, millwall iron works company received order imperial russian government plating of naval fortress being built @ kronstadt on baltic sea. hughes accepted concession imperial russian government develop metal works in region, , in 1869 acquired piece of land north of azov sea russian statesman sergei kochubey (son of viktor kochubey).

he formed new russia company ltd. raise capital, , in summer of 1870, @ age of 55, moved russian empire. sailed 8 ships, not equipment necessary establish metal works, of skilled labour; group of hundred ironworkers , miners south wales.

he started build metal works close river kalmius, @ site near village of alexandrovka. state-of-the-art works had 8 blast furnaces , capable of full production cycle, first pig iron cast in 1872. during 1870s, collieries , iron ore mines sunk, , brickworks , other facilities established make isolated works self-sufficient industrial complex. further built railway-line-producing factory. of hughes facilities held under novorussian society coal, iron , rails production.

the hughes factory gave name settlement grew in shadow, , town of hughesovka (yuzovka) grew rapidly. hughes provided hospital, schools, bath houses, tea rooms, fire brigade , anglican church dedicated patron saints st george , st david. land around metal works grew become industrial , cultural centre in region; population of city founded hughes exceeds 1 million.

over next twenty years, works prospered , expanded, first under john hughes , then, after death in 1889, under management of 4 of sons. amazingly, john hughes semi-literate - unable write , read capital letters.