Hudson, Maj. J.K.

Joseph Kennedy Hudson made his first journalism venture in 1873 with the purchase of the Kansas Farmer. Shortly after, he founded the Topeka Daily Capital, at which time he abandoned his former political leanings and became a staunch Republican.

In November, 1888, he consolidated the Daily Capital with the Topeka Commonwealth.

An officer of the Tenth Kansas regiment, he was appointed brigadier general of the volunteer army in 1898 by President McKinley and went on to serve in the Spanish-American War.

Hudson was at the head of nearly every reform political movement in Kansas for 20 years following the Civil War.

Said the Jayhawker Press, “He was identified with journalism in Kansas in a prominent and very practical way and his work was such that it greatly improved its standards.

“The Topeka Capital became under his management a power for good, political, and moral, not only in Kansas, but all over the country.”

Hudson died May 5, 1907.