T. J. Huddleston, Sr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
T. J. Huddleston, Sr. (June 1, 1876—?) was a prominent African American entrepreneur and community leader in Mississippi. He owned dozens of funeral homes in Mississippi.[1] He was the grandfather of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, Mayor Henry Espy of Clarksdale, Mississippi and great-grandfather of Mississippi Representative Chuck Espy (D - Clarksdale).
Huddleston was also the father of Leon Finney, Sr. (1916-2008), the founder of a popular barbecue chain in Chicago, who in turn was the father of Leon Finney, Jr. (1938-), a prominent Chicago minister and current president and CEO of the Woodlawn Organization. The Chicago and Mississippi branches of the family retain political ties.[2]
[edit] Biography
T(homas) J(efferson) Huddleston, Sr. was born on June 1, 1876.[3]
In 1924, Huddleston founded the Afro-American Sons and Daughters, a fraternal organization in Yazoo City, Mississippi. [4] Four years later, he builds and operates the Afro-American Hospital in Yazoo. It is Mississippi's first hospital owned and operated by blacks. [5]
Huddleston's children with his wife Patience include:
- Carrie Huddleston
- Fontaine Huddleston
- Ethel Huddleston
- Lula Huddleston
- T(homas) J(efferson) Huddleston, Jr., (March 2, 1909—May 10, 1990) )[6]
- Willie Jean Huddleston, (October 22, 1914—September 1985) [7] mother of Mike Espy and Henry Espy.
[edit] References
- ^ Founded Leon's Bar-B-Q - Employees, Mississippi, Woodlawn Organization - chicagotribune.com
- ^ NEWSMEAT ▷ LEON FINNEY's federal campaign contribution search results
- ^ World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database online], Humphreys County, Mississippi at http://www.ancestry.com
- ^ http://www.visitmississippi.org/itineraries/themes_african_american_timeline.asp Mississippi Convention and Visitors Bureau: African-American Heritage Timeline
- ^ http://www.visitmississippi.org/itineraries/themes_african_american_timeline.asp Mississippi Convention and Visitors Bureau: African-American Heritage Timeline
- ^ Social Security Death Index [database online], Thomas J. Huddleston at http://www.ancestry.com
- ^ Social Security Death Index [database online], Willie Espy at http://www.ancestry.com
