Born in Galena, Illinois, McHugh read law in 1883 and was in private practice in Galena from 1883 to 1888, and in Omaha, Nebraska from 1888 to 1896.

[1] McHugh received a recess appointment from President Grover Cleveland on November 20, 1896, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska vacated by Judge Elmer Scipio Dundy.

McHugh's service terminated on March 3, 1897, with the sine die adjournment of the United States Senate of the 54th United States Congress and the end of Cleveland's Presidency.

[1] Following his departure from the federal bench, McHugh resumed private practice in Omaha from 1897 to 1920.

He was general counsel to the International Harvester Corporation in Chicago, Illinois from 1920 to 1923.