Alameda County Biographies

FREDERICK KAHN

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 

	In all the Bay cities no firm is more conspicuous for progress and fair dealing, nor has 
done more for the beautification of the city, and for the development of the commercial interests 
of Oakland, than has the house of Kahn whose recognized leader and president is the subject of
this review.
	His father, Israel Kahn, a native of Germany, arrived in New York in the year 1849, 
where he lived until 1877. In the latter year, taking with him his wife and nine children, he migrated 
to California. Israel Kahn was not a wealthy man; on the contrary his means were extremely limited 
but he was possessed of those fine qualities, energy, thrift and conservative progressiveness. He 
was quick to sense a business opportunity and to take advantage of it but in connection therewith 
he always manifested precaution not to overstep the needs of the present so far that it would place 
an element of risk in his path. Mr. Kahn's entry into business upon his own resources was in small 
quarters at 908 Market street, San Francisco, the same year that he arrived on this coast.  He was 
not there long, however, until he became acquainted with conditions and began to look into the more 
distant future. It was then, by most careful study of the situation, that he became convinced that the 
continental side of the Bay would soon gain the foothold, growth and prestige to which, as the logical 
terminus for all overland transportation, it was entitled.
	In 1879 he transferred his interests to this side of the Bay and first opened to the public of 
Oakland a store under the name of Kahn Sons, a name that is inseparably linked with the annals of 
Alameda county. The many struggles that followed (and many they were for Mr. Kahn), were bravely 
borne, and his arduous labors ultimately brought forth fruits of success. This busy little store was 
situated at the corner of Twelfth and Broadway, and, the concensus of opinion was an expression of 
doubt that Mr. Kahn's small establishment, with its corps of three salespeople and a floor space of 
20x40 feet, would even survive the obstacles of a year.
	In a few years the business justified the seeking of more spacious accommodations which 
were found in the vicinity of Tenth and Broadway. The evolution of this store, now one of Oakland's 
most substantial, progressive and popular institutions of business, would if dealt with step by step fill 
volumes. In brief, the location has been changed five times, the removal each time being necessitated 
by the enormously increased patronage which has marked every year in the history of the business.
	August 2, 1913, marked the opening of the beautiful new store facing on Sixteenth street, 
Telegraph and San Pablo avenues. The site occupies an entire acre. The magnificent structure, 
erected at a cost of three quarters of a million dollars, is a masterpiece in the art of architectural 
design and in the arrangement for the artistic display of goods together with the many innovations 
provided to afford convenience and comfort to its patrons.
	This store justly holds the distinction of being the largest in Alameda county and the third 
largest in California. The management remained in the hands of the founder until 1883 when he passed 
away.  With all the foresight and wisdom with which the father had builded the three sons then continued 
the business, although Frederick Kahn was not until four years later, 1887; intimately connected with the 
management. The firm was incorporated in 1903, with Henry Kahn as president. He capably filled that 
office until his death in 1907 when he was succeeded by the late Solomon Kahn who served the interests 
of the concern well for three years. In 1910 Frederick Kahn, the only surviving member of the original 
corporation, assumed the presidency.
	Frederick Kahn was born in New York city, September 21, 1860. He acquired his education in 
grammar school No. 42 of the city of New York and later attended the evening classes of the Thirteenth 
Street high school. When he began his independent career he was made office manager in a San 
Francisco importing house, holding this position from 1880 to 1887. In the latter year he joined his 
brothers in the conduct of the now well established business.
	Mercantile interests however have not held his entire attention which is evidenced by his 
connection with various other capitalistic enterprises. He is also president of the Kahn Realty 
Company and University Investment Company.
	On the 19th of February, 1905, Mr. Kahn was united in marriage to Miss Helen Lavenson, a 
daughter of Samuel Lavenson, a pioneer merchant of Sacramento, and they have become the parents 
of three children: Frederick, Jr., Rose Etta and Helen Sarah. Mr. Kahn is a member of the First Hebrew 
Congregation of Oakland and belongs to the Olympic Club, and the Commercial Clubs of both Oakland 
and San Francisco. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the San Francisco consistory.

Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p.  272