KAHN BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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KAHN, Sol - b: 1844 Fuerstenthum-Birkenfeld, Germany
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 426
residence: Deepwater Twp

Sol Kahn. Since the year 1871 the name of Kahn has been favorably known in 
Henry County. Sol Kahn has the distinction of being the oldest merchant in the 
southern part of Henry County and of Montrose. The name of Kahn is recognized as 
an honorable one and the goods sold from the Kahn stores are dependable. An 
extensive business has been built up, a large department store growing from a 
very small beginning in Montrose in 1871. Mr. Kahn was born in the Grand Duchy of 
Oldenburg, Fuerstenthum-Birkenfeld, Germany, June 4, 1844, and was the son of 
Moses and Eva Kahn, who belonged to the Jewish fraternity. Moses Kahn was a 
dealer in horses in his native land, and both he and his wife, Eva, lived all of 
their lives in Germany. Sol Kahn received a good education in the schools of his 
native land and served three years as an apprentice to a dry goods merchant who 
for a consideration of $100 a year allowed him to work in the business and learn 
as much as he possibly could during his apprenticeship. He then spent two years 
in a dry goods store at Brussels, Belgium, after which he was employed in a store 
at Treves, Germany, for four years. By means of thrift and the strictest economy, 
Mr. Kahn saved up a few hundred dollars and immigrated to America in 1869. His 
first two years in this country were profitably spent in a dry goods store at 
Macon, Missouri. In 1871 he came to Montrose, Missouri, and in partnership with 
Louis Baum he purchased the store which had been founded and operated by Kahn 
& David. The firm was conducted under the name of Kahn & Baum for two years, at 
the end of which time Mr. Kahn purchased his partner's interest and operated the 
business under his own name. The Kahn stores progressed from year to year and 
grew from an ordinary sized store, carrying a stock of goods worth about $4,000, 
to a large department store carrying a stock of goods ranging in value from 
$30,000 to $40,000. The large Kahn building was erected in 1884 so as to afford 
ample quarters for the growing business. In 1904 an addition to the building 
became necessary and the business of the Kahn stores now occupies two floors of 
a large brick structure measuring 85x80 feet. Of late years Mr. Kahn has retired 
from the active management of the stores and the Kahn Commercial Company was 
organized in 1908 to operate the business. While Mr. Kahn holds a substantial 
interest in the business, his son, Carl Kahn, is president of the company, Ed Rock 
is secretary and Max Kahn, another son, is manager. Mr. Kahn was married in 1876 
to Miss Kate Marsh, born in Illinois, a daughter of George Marsh, one of the early 
settlers of Henry County. The children born of this marriage are as follow: Max 
and Carl, who are successful merchants. Mr. Kahn is a Democrat but has never 
taken an active part in political matters. He adheres to the faith of his fathers, 
and is of the Jewish persuasion in religious matters.

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