J.L. Hudson Company

The Detroit Tomorrow exhibit was part of the J.L. Hudson's 75th anniversary celebration and was held July 23 through Aug. 4, 1956.

From the description of J.L. Hudson Company Detroit Tomorrow collection, 1956. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 213092081

Joseph L. Hudson was born October 17, 1846 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. In 1855 he came with his mother and five other children to Hamilton, Ontario where his father had gone in 1853. In 1860 the family moved to Grand Rapids. In 1861 Joseph began working for C. R. Mabley who ran a clothing store in Pontiac. Richard Hudson, Joseph's father, bought out Mabley and induced Joe to take over management of the store in 1865. This business, R. Hudson & Son, prospered until 1873 when the panic in that year wrecked the clothing store financially and led it into bankruptcy in 1876. J. L. then came to Detroit and worked again for Mabley until 1881 when he opened his own store. Joseph L. Hudson was involved in many civic and business activities during his years in Detroit. He was on the boards of two banks, President of Harper Hospital, and Detroit's first lighting commissioner. J. L. Hudson died July 5, 1912 while traveling in England, he was still unmarried. (from Book of Detroiters 1903, 1914 ; A Biographical sketch of J. L. Hudson) (blue index cards)

Born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, Oct. 17,1846; father moved to Hamilton Canada; clerk in a grocery store; family moved to Pontiac, Mich. 1861; started with father a clothing store in Ionia, 1866; entered partnership with C.R. Mabley in Detroit, 1878; after failures & difficulties he finally developed the business into the J.L. Hudson Co., with stores in many cities; died in London, England, July 5, 1912. (from Detroit & Wayne County, p. 307- 312.) (Date of death: Reference room file.) (blue index cards)

From the description of J.L. Hudson Company records, 1881-1972 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 635452414