The articles of incorporation for Hudson Motor Car Company were filed with Wayne County, Michigan on February 24, 1909. The incorporators on the official records were listed as Joseph L. Hudson, Roscoe B. Jackson, George W. Dunham, and Roscoe B. Jackson, Trustee. ( Jackson Trustee on behalf of Roy Chapin, Howard Coffin, Frederick Bezner, James Brady, and Lee Counselman.) Hugh Chalmers (Chalmers Motor Car Company) was an investor, but remained silent in the partnership.

March 6, 1909, at the first board of directors meeting, the officers were elected. Joseph L. Hudson, president (prominent merchant in Detroit); Hugh Chalmers, vice president (remained president of Chalmers Motor Car Company); Roscoe Jackson, treasure and general manager; Roy Chapin, secretary (remained secretary and treasurer of Chalmers); Howard Coffin, vice president of engineering (remained chief engineer at Chalmers); George Dunham, chief engineer and designer (formerly with Olds).

Hudson Plant

Roy Chapin got his start in the auto industry