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Guide to the Hudson (Luther M.) Papers
MS 57
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Table of contents
Title: Luther M. Hudson papers
Dates: 1900-1986
Collection number: MS 57
Creator:
Hudson, Luther M.
Collection Size:
.25 linear feet
(1 box + 1 oversized box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Luther M. Hudson Papers include photographs, postcards, certificate of marriage, correspondence, funeral service program
and guestbook, and newspaper clippings documenting the life and career of funeral home director Luther Hudson.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the Luther M. Hudson Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Luther M. Hudson papers, MS 57, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 09/11/2013.
Biography / Administrative History
Funeral director Luther M. Hudson (1882-1972) was born on November 9, 1882 in Henry County, Missouri the youngest of seven
children to Coleman C. and Martha Hudson. After graduating from Clinton High School, Hudson studied mortuary science at Worsham
School in Chicago, Illinois and opened the Hudson Funeral Home at 853 8th Street in Oakland, California in 1915. He was one
of the original founders of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, the largest black-owned insurance company in the
western United States, contributing $15,000 to help it secure an insurance license in 1925 and served on the company’s board
of directors until his death in 1972. Hudson owned and operated the Hudson Funeral Home for 29 years until the failing health
of his wife forced him to sell the funeral home to Aramis Fouche in 1943 and move to Los Angeles, California. Hudson married
charm school and etiquette instructor, Annette Starr Bruce, in Los Angeles in 1970.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Luther M. Hudson Papers include photographs, postcards, certificate of marriage, correspondence, funeral service program
and guestbook, and newspaper clippings documenting the life and career of funeral home director Luther Hudson. The papers
include 27 photographs of Hudson’s family and friends and the funeral service program and guestbook for Luther Hudson’s funeral
service in 1972. The papers also include a folder of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and a short biographical note collected
by the Eastbay Negro Historical Society related to the Hudson Funeral Home.
Series I. Luther M. Hudson
Series II. Hudson Funeral Home
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Hudson, Luther M.
Hudson Funeral Home (Oakland, Calif.).
Undertakers and undertaking—California.
Oakland (Calif.)--Social life and customs.
African Americans--California--Oakland--Biography.
Annette Starr Bruce Hudson Papers, MS 47, African American Museum & Library at Oakland.