Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison

Who was Mr Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison?

Mr Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison was a prominent Canadian businessman and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on December 9, 1881, in Chesterville, Ontario, Allison was a successful entrepreneur who tragically perished at the age of 30 (thirty) in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, along with his wife and daughter.

Early Life and Family

Hudson Allison was born into a Methodist family in Ontario, Canada. His parents were Jesse Rose Allison and Pheobe Johnston. He had three siblings:

• Margaret (born April 9, 1876)
• George (born October 16, 1879)
• William “Percy” (born March 21, 1887)

Growing up in a devout Methodist household, Hudson was instilled with strong religious values and a robust work ethic from an early age.

Education and Career

A Rising Star in Canadian Finance

Hudson Allison’s career trajectory was nothing short of impressive. His professional journey began with humble origins:

1. Worked as a clerk in Chester Casselman’s General Store in Chesterville
2. At 19, hired by his uncle George “Frank” Johnston to head the junior division of a Montreal brokerage firm
3. Sent to Buffalo to learn shorthand
4. Worked as an insurance agent for New York Life Insurance Company
5. Opened an office in Winnipeg for his uncle’s firm

Allison’s business acumen and networking skills quickly propelled him into the upper echelons of Canadian finance. He became part of Montreal’s “Methodist Mafia,” a group of up-and-coming financial leaders who were making waves in Canadian business circles.

Business Ventures and Achievements

As his career flourished, Hudson Allison diversified his interests:

• Board member of the British Lumber Corporation
• Established the Allison Stock Farm near Winchester, Ontario in 1911
• Invested in real estate, building a new house in Westmount, Quebec

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

During one of his frequent train trips between Winnipeg and Montreal, Hudson met Bess Waldo Daniels, a young woman from an Irish-American family. Their courtship led to marriage on December 9, 1907 – Hudson’s 26th birthday. The couple had two children:

1. Helen Loraine (born June 5, 1909)
2. Hudson Trevor (born May 7, 1911)

Religious Devotion

The Allisons were known for their strong Methodist faith:

• Taught Sunday school and Bible classes
• Hudson often served as a lay preacher

This religious dedication was a cornerstone of their family life and social interactions.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why were the Allisons on the Titanic?

The Allisons had not initially planned to sail on the Titanic. They had been in England for a business trip, where Hudson attended a directors’ meeting for the British Lumber Corporation. During their stay, they:

1. Had their son Trevor baptized at Epworth, in the church where Methodist founder John Wesley had preached
2. Took a side trip to the Scottish Highlands, where Hudson purchased two dozen Clydesdales and Hackney stallions and mares for his stock farm
3. Acquired furniture and hired household staff for their residences

Like many others, they altered their travel plans to return on the Titanic with old friends.

Titanic Accommodations

The Allisons spared no expense for their journey home:

• Paid £151 16s for three first-class cabins on the Upper Deck (C-22/24/26)
• Ticket number: 113781
• Cabin arrangements:
  1. Mr. and Mrs. Allison in one suite
  2. Sarah Daniels (lady’s maid) and Loraine in another
  3. Alice Cleaver (nursemaid) and Trevor in the third

Their other household servants traveled in second class.

The Night of the Disaster

On the evening of April 14, 1912, the Allisons dined with Major Arthur Peuchen and Harry Molson in the Titanic’s opulent first-class dining room. In a poignant moment, Bess brought their daughter Loraine to see the beautiful Jacobean-style room.

When the Titanic struck the iceberg, chaos ensued:

1. Alice Cleaver took baby Trevor and escaped in lifeboat 11
2. Bess Allison was initially placed in a lifeboat with Loraine
3. Refusing to leave without her baby, Bess dragged Loraine out of the boat
4. The Allisons frantically searched for Trevor, unaware he had already been evacuated

Major Arthur Peuchen later recounted to the Montreal Daily Star:

“Mrs Allison could have gotten away in perfect safety, but somebody told her Mr Allison was in a boat being lowered on the opposite side of the deck, and with her little daughter she rushed away from the boat. Apparently she reached the other side to find that Mr Allison was not there. Meanwhile, our boat had put off.”

Tragically, Hudson, Bess, and Loraine Allison all perished in the disaster.

Recovery and Aftermath

Hudson Allison’s Body

Of the Allison family, only Hudson’s body was recovered, identified as body No. 135. The details of his recovery paint a vivid picture of the man and his status:

Clothing:

• Leather coat
• Blue suit
• Grey silk muffler

Effects:

• Keys, letters, photos
• Stock book
• Three pocket diaries
• C.P. Railway ticket book
• Two pocketbooks
• Card case
• $143.00 in notes
• Chain with insurance medals
• £15 in gold
• $100.00 Thomas Cook & Sons travellers’ cheque
• £35 in notes
• Gold cuff links
• Diamond solitaire ring
• Gold stud, knife, silver tie clip
• $4.40 in odd coins
• Traveller’s ticket

Hudson Allison’s body was laid to rest in the Allison family plot at Maple Ridge Cemetery near Winchester, Ontario.

Funeral and Remembrance

The Allison family’s funeral was held at the Douglas Methodist Church in Montreal on Sunday, April 21, 1912. The service was a