John Joseph (J.J.) McHugh, 1855-1928, came west from Ontario in 1878 as a farm instructor for the Indian Department. In 1883 he and his brother, Thomas P. McHugh, established the JJ Ranch on the south side of the Bow River just outside the Blackfoot (Siksika) reserve in southern Alberta. In 1885 they were joined by another brother, Felix Alexander McHugh, 1851-1912. The McHughs brought the first purebred Clydesdale horses and shorthorn cattle to Alberta in 1884. In 1893 Tom withdrew from the partnership and established a ranch at Queenstown, and the JJ was renamed the H2 Ranch.

John O'Dougherty (H2 Jack) McHugh, 1895-1967, was the son of F.A. McHugh. He worked on the H2 Ranch for many years and also in the contracting business. Frank Bowes McHugh, 1885-1957, was the son of J.J. McHugh. He worked on the H2 Ranch until 1905, then operated a teamster and construction business in Calgary until taking up his own ranch in 1915 near Dunbow.

For further information see Dallas Banister Wright's article "Where the Highwood Meets the Bow" in Canadian Cattlemen, vol.18, no.1 (January 1955), p. 8, 27.