Cudahy Family Papers: Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Eric Steiger, October 16, 2008.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2129

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Overview of the Collection

Title: Cudahy Family Papers

Dates (inclusive): 1901-1925

Collection Number: mssCudahy family

Creator: Cudahy family.

Extent: 319 items in 2 boxes

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2129

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: This collection contains correspondence and ephemera of the family of John P. "Jack" Cudahy (died 1921) and Edna Cudahy (1877-1949) of Illinois and California. Most of the correspondence and ephemera relates to intimate family life and the social connections between members of the American industrial and entertainment elite of the first decades of the twentieth century.

Language: English.

Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Administrative Information

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Cudahy Family Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Provenance

Purchased from C. Apfelbaum, November 8, 1988.

Biographical Note

Edna Cudahy (1877-1949) was born Edna Margaret Cowin on October 31, 1877 in Omaha, Nebraska. Her father was a prominent Omaha lawyer and politician who would later go on to be a signatory to the 1914 manifesto of the Nebraska Men’s Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage. She married John P. “Jack” Cudahy, son of wealthy Chicago meat packer Michael Cudahy. They had four children, Edna Catherine (born approximately 1900), Marie (born approximately 1902), Anne Elizabeth (born approximately 1904), and Michael (1908–1947).

Edna and Jack began married life in Kansas City, Mo., where Jack managed his father’s meat packing plant. In 1910, Jack attacked Jere Lillis, President of the Western Exchange Bank, over suspicion of an affair between Lillis and Edna. Following the attack, Edna and Jack divorced, and custody of their children was entrusted to Jack’s parents.

In 1912, the couple reconciled and remarried, and settled in Pasadena, Calif. with their children. Jack joined the Army during World War I, served at Camp Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, but secured a medical discharge following a nervous breakdown in 1918. After Jack returned from the Army and regained his health, the family moved from Pasadena to a mansion in Hollywood, where, in 1921, Jack committed suicide. Throughout their married life, Edna maintained connections to the theater society of the United States, Canada, and Britain. Edna died in 1949.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of the papers of John P. “Jack” and Edna Cudahy family. Includes correspondence and ephemera.

The correspondence contains 228 letters, many written to Edna Cudahy. These are arranged alphabetically by author. These letters contain information relating to theater and society life in the early twentieth century, Michael Cudahy’s life at Belmont School for Boys, Jack’s experience as an officer at Camp Lewis, Wash. during World War I, and some correspondence related to Jack’s business interests and trust funds. A letter from Edna Cudahy Browne to John, Box 1 (11), discusses the young woman’s decision to become a nun, though she married Percy Browne the following year.

There are also 91 pieces of ephemera, including calling cards, report cards, greeting cards, and some receipts for goods and services. The ephemera is organized alphabetically by type. Most of the correspondence and ephemera relates to intimate family life and the social connections between members of the industrial and entertainment elite of the first decades of the twentieth century.

Subjects in this collection related to film distribution include: Associated First National Pictures, W.W. Hodgkinson, Marcus Loew, Paramount Pictures, and Adolph Zukor. Other subjects include: Catholic schools, Catholic women, Santa Catalina Island, and World War I.

Arrangement

Correspondence arranged alphabetically in Boxes 1-2, followed by ephemera at the end of Box 2.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.

Subjects

Cudahy family.

Hodgkinson, W. W.

Loew, Marcus.

Zukor, Adolph, 1873-1976.

Associated First National Pictures, Inc.

Paramount Pictures.

Catholic schools.

Catholic women.

Motion pictures -- Distribution.

Theater and society.

World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada.

World War, 1914-1918 -- Washington (State)

Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Pasadena (Calif.)

Santa Catalina Island (Calif.)

Forms/Genres

Ephemera -- 20th century.

Letters (correspondence) -- 20th century.

Finding aids.

Indexing: Added Entries

Claus, Santa.

Addressee of Marie Cudahy letter [undated]. Box 1 (33).

Yorska, Mme.

Co-addressee of Carl de Vidal Hundt letter [undated]. Box 1 (57).

Indexing: Subjects

Associated First National Pictures, Inc.

Subject in Monroe Salisbury letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash. Box 2 (17).

Catholic Schools

Subject in Anne Cudahy letters (1922) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (19).
Subject in Michael Cudahy letters (1922-1925) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (37).

Catholic women

Subject in Edna Cudahy Browne letter to John (1919, Nov. 7). Box 1 (11).

Hodgkinson, W.W.

Subject in Monroe Salisbury letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash. Box 2 (17).

Loew, Marcus

Subject in Monroe Salisbury letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash. Box 2 (17).

Motion Pictures – Distribution

Subject in Monroe Salisbury letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash. Box 2 (17).

Paramount Pictures

Subject in Monroe Salisbury letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash. Box 2 (17).

Santa Catalina Island (Calif.)

Subject in John P. Cudahy letter (1914, Aug. 16) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (24).

Theater and Society

Subject in Travers Allan letter (1916) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (2).
Subject in J. D. Barton letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (6).
Subject in Don W. Donald letters (1918) to Edna Cudahy, 1877, 1949. Box 1 (41).
Subject in Nat. C. (Nathaniel Carll) Goodwin, 1857-1919, letter to Edna Cudahy, 1877- 1949. Box 1 (49).
Subject in Carl de Vidal Hundt letters [ca. 1916] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (56).
Subject in May Robson letter (1916, Feb. 12) to “Dear Friends.” Box 2 (13).
Subject in Mme. Yorska letters (1918-1919) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 2 (25).
Subject in Frank ----- letter (1919, June 24) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 2 (28).

World War, 1914-1918

Subject in letter to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 2 (35).

World War, 1914-1918 – Canada

Subject in Don W. Donald letters (1918) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (41).

World War, 1914-1918 -- Washington (State)

Subject in John P. Cudahy letters (1917-1918) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. Box 1 (24)
Subject in John P. Cudahy letter (1918, Jan. 11) to Michael Cudahy. Box 1 (27).

Zukor, Adolph, 1873-1976

Subject in Monroe Salisbury letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash. Box 2 (17).

Correspondence and Ephemera

Box 1

Correspondence: A-Ketcham

Folder 1

Alexander & Oviatte. 1 letter (1920, Dec. 11) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 2

Allan, Travers. 2 letters (1916) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 3

Alvord, Florence. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 4

Annandale Golf Club. 1 letter (1918, June 24) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 5

Automobile Club of Southern California. 1 letter (1921, Jan. 12) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 6

Barton, J.D. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 7

Becket, J.W. Family. 1 letter (1918, Jan. 21) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 8

Benton, Ella L. 3 letters (1912-1917) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 9

Blewett, W.F., Mrs. 1 letter (1917, July 5) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 10

Browne, Edna Cudahy. 1 letter [undated] to Anne Cudahy.

Folder 11

Browne, Edna Cudahy. 1 letter (1919, Nov. 7) to John -----.

Folder 12

Browne, Edna Cudahy. 1 letter [undated] to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 13

Browne, Edna Cudahy. 1 letter [undated] to Marie Cudahy.

Folder 14

Browne, Edna Cudahy. 1 letter [undated] to Michael Cudahy.

Folder 15

Browne, Edna Cudahy, Marie Cudahy, and Anne Cudahy. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 16

C----, Katherine P. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 17

Cash, Ellen L. 3 letters [ca. 1920] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 18

Clark, William Andrews, 1877-1934. 2 letters (1922) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 19

Cudahy, Anne. 8 letters (1913-1922) to Edna Cudhay, 1877-1949.

Folder 20

Cudahy, Edna, 1877-1949. 2 letters (1921) to Michael Cudahy.

Folder 21

Cudahy, John P. 2 letters (1920) to Edna Cudahy Browne.

Folder 22

Cudahy, John P. 1 letter (1920, July 26) to Mrs. M.A. Condon.

Folder 23

Cudahy, John P. 1 letter (1918, Jan. 11) to Anne Cudahy.

Folder 24

Cudahy, John P. 11 letters (1910-1918) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 25

Cudahy, John P. 2 letters (1920) to J.M. Cudahy.

Folder 26

Cudhay, John P. 1 letter (1912, July 21) to Mary T. Cudahy.

Folder 27

Cudhay, John P. 4 letters (1914-1918) to Michael Cudahy.

Folder 28

Cudahy, John P. 1 letter (1920, July 26) to Edward J. Pyle.

Folder 29

Cudahy, John P. 1 letter (1918, Jan. 26) to “Sister.”

Folder 30

Cudahy, John R. 1 letter (1919, July 5) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 31

Cudahy, Margaret F. 1 letter (1920, Mar. 12) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 32

Cudahy, Margaret O. 1 letter (1920, July 17) to John P. Cudhay.

Folder 33

Cudahy, Marie. 1 letter [undated] to Santa Claus.

Folder 34

Cudahy, Marie. 3 letters (1916) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 35

Cudahy, Marie. 1 letter (1921) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 36

Cudahy, Michael. 1 letter (1923, Jan. 17) to “Chum.”

Folder 37

Cudahy, Michael. 37 letters (1922-1925) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 38

Cudahy, Michael. 2 letters (1921) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 39

Dobson, Miles. 2 letters (1919) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 40

Dobson, Miles. 1 letter (1919, Oct. 24) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949 and John P. Cudahy.

Folder 41

Donald, Don W. 3 letters (1918) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 42

Edmonds, H.O. 1 letter (1916, Sep. 15) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 43

Estate of Michael Cudahy. 5 letters (1911-1912) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 44

Evans, Beth S. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 45

Fiske, Ada W. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 46

Forrest, Agnes. 21 letters (1907-1910) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 47

George, Louise M. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 48

Gerken, Ward R. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 49

Goodwin, Nat. C. (Nathaniel Carll), 1857-1919. 5 letters (1915-1919) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 50

“Gussie.” 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 51

Hackett, James Keteltas, 1869-1926. 1 telegram (1910, Mar. 7) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 52

Hackett, James Keteltas. 2 letters (1904) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 53

Herbert, William P., Jr. 1 letter [undated] to Michael Cudahy.

Folder 54

Heredia, Georgie de. 1 letter [1916] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 55

Heredia, Georgie de. 1 letter [undated] to “My Dear Little Friends.”

Folder 56

Hundt, Carl de Vidal. 2 letters [ca. 1916] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 57

Hundt, Carl de Vidal. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949, Mme. Yorska, John P. Cudahy, and “la bande.”

Folder 58

“Just Jean.” 1 letter [undated] to “Pal.”

Folder 59

Ketcham, George. 1 letter (1910, Mar. 7) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Box 2

Correspondence: Knich (?) – Yorska and unidentified and Ephemera

Folder 1

Knich (?). 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 2

Kopietzky, Antoinette. 1 letter (1919, Dec. 27) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 3

L----, Mildred B. 2 letters (1904) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 4

Lower, William Savery. 2 letters (1917) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 5

MacMillan, J. Harry. 4 letters [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 6

Macy, S. J. 1 letter (1913, Oct. 30) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 7

McLaughlin, Frederic. 1 Letter (1906, Nov. 12) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 8

Melville, Iota. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 9

“Mervyn and Tippy.” 1 letter (1923) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 10

Nishiyama, A. 1 letter [undated] to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 11

Northern Trust Company. 7 letters (1916-1920) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 12

Palmer, -----. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1929.

Folder 13

Robson, May. 1 letter (1916, Feb. 12) to “Dear Friends.”

Folder 14

Rowe, Edith E. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 15

Salisbury, Monroe. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 16

Salisbury, Monroe. 2 letters (1917) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949 and John P. Cudahy.

Folder 17

Salisbury, Monroe. 1 letter [ca. 1920] to Ellen L. Cash.

Folder 18

Scott, Lester C. 1 letter (1918, Dec. 1) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 19

Snyder, Sibyl. 8 letters (1907-1909) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 20

Stargrave, Ted. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 21

Teal, Ben, Jr. 1 letter (1922, Feb. 26) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949 and Family.

Folder 22

Underwood, Earl. 1 letter (1910, Aug. 24) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 23

Webey, Josephine Rose. 2 letters [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 24

Wiley, A.E. 1 letter (1919, Oct. 11) to John P. Cudahy.

Folder 25

Yorska, Mme. 2 letters (1918-1919) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 26

-----, Arnold. 4 letters (1922-23) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 27

-----, Edna. 7 letters (1901-1906) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 28

-----, Frank. 1 letter (1919, June 24) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949. 29. -----, Jamie. 1 letter (1919, May 20) to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 30

-----, Lewis. 1 letter [undated] to John P. Cudahy and Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 31

-----, Margie. 1 letter [undated] to “Cammie.”

Folder 32

-----. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 33

-----. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 34

-----. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 35

-----. 1 letter [undated] to Edna Cudahy, 1877-1949.

Folder 36

-----. 1 letter [undated] to “Fay Dear.”

Folder 37

-----. 1 letter [undated] to Mrs. McGhee.

Folder 38

Ephemera: Announcements and Invitations (1918). 7 items.

Folder 39

Ephemera: Calling Cards [undated]. 21 items.

Folder 40

Ephemera: Children’s Ephemera [undated]. 11 items.

Folder 41

Ephemera: Death Notice for Mrs. Patrick Cleary [undated]. 4 items. Includes an acknowledgement card, newspaper clipping of an obituary for Mrs. Patrick Cleary, and two calling cards from Mrs. John Cudahy.

Folder 42

Ephemera: Empty Envelopes (1910-1919). 11 items.

Folder 43

Ephemera: Greeting Cards (1910-1920). 16 items.

Folder 44

Ephemera: Inventory [undated]. 1 item.

Folder 45

Ephemera: Receipts (1920-1921). 11 items.

Folder 46

Ephemera: Report Cards (1922-1925). 8 items.

Folder 47

Ephemera: Telephone Notes by Mary Cudahy (1912, July 21). 1 item.