His brother William moved to Buffalo, New York, in 1896, to operate a branch of the Hudson's store until his death in 1928.

The retail operation succeeded by setting low prices and a return policy that favored the customer.

As business volume grew, Hudson added sales professionals and additional lines of goods, including women's clothing and housewares.

Services were held July 19, 1912, at Central Methodist Church before interment at Woodlawn Cemetery.

[4][5] According to biographer Edward L. Lack Jr., Hudson left no personal papers, and the details outside of his public life are few and mostly unknown.