Marx Kahn
Birth 1830
Married to Fanny

Fanny Kahn
Married to Marx
Born 1841

Carrie Kahn
Age 1866
Daughter of Marx and Fanny

Solomon Kahn
Born 1867
Son of Marx and Fanny

Tillie Kahn
Born 1870
Daughter of Marx and Fanny

Jacob Kahn
Born 1873
Son of Marx and Fanny

Edwin Kahn
Born 1875
Son of Marx and Fanny

May Kahn
Born 1878
Daughter of Marx and Fanny

Marx Kahn was born in Germany in 1830 [1] and was the brother of Isaac who also had a family in Leadville. [2] It is not known when Marx immigrated to the United States or when he married his wife Fanny, who was also from Germany. Fanny had been born in 1841. [3] It is clear that Marx and Fanny were together by 1866 when their first daughter, Carrie was born. [4] Marx and Fanny had a large family; Solomon was born in 1867, Tillie in 1870, Jacob in 1873, Ewin in 1875 and May in 1878. [5] Marx’s obituary mentions he arrived in Leadville from Morrison, Illinois, so it is probable most of the children were born in that state. [6] In the 1910 census, May is revealed to have been born in Colorado. [7] Marx arrived in Colorado just as Leadville was coming into being, and he subsequently appeared in the 1880 City Directory residing at 506 East 6th Street. [8]

The following year, Marx moved his residence to 500 East 10th Street where he also set up his business. [9] Usually merchants in Leadville would often change addresses and relocate their businesses. Remarkably this was not the case with Marx, instead his grocery remained at 500 East 10th Street all the way up to when it ceases to appear in city directories after 1907. [10] This, and the fact Marx’s store is highlighted favorably in a 1902 Herald Democrat article, suggests his grocery enjoyed substantial stability and popularity in Leadville. Kahn’s grocery was described as “One of the pioneer and well established business houses of the city.” [11] The following article relates how important economically, Kahn’s business was to his community and to greater Leadville as a whole.

“The family grocer is a business character who probably, more than anyone outside of the professions, can become the friend and adviser of his patrons. Especially is this true when acquaintance extends over years, and has been characterized in a business way by straight-forward, honorable dealings and a courteous, appreciative response to the needs of the trade.

This pleasant relationship exists in the business of Mr. Marx Kahn, family grocer, conducted since 1880 at 500 East Tenth street. Here he has raised an estimable family, and has seen his trade grow even in advance of the growth of Leadville around him, from a very modest and limited stock and clientage to what it is now, viz: one of the most important in the city, employing twelve people, with two teams and two single wagons to deliver the daily sales which extend to all the small settlements and mining centers for miles over the hills.

In addition to the substantial store at 500 East Tenth Street, M. Kahn has two warehouse, each capable of storing at least ten carloads, and which enable him to secure freight rates and take advantage of the markets in fancy and staple groceries for the benefit of his customers.

For hundreds of families “Kahn’s grocery” is truly a household word and as already intimated there is a social and friendly cast in the relations between merchant and customers that dignifies it and differentiates it from the ordinary commercial house.” [12]

The article suggests that from 1880 to 1902, Kahn’s grocery burgeoned into a successful and integral business operation in Leadville. Kahn’s success in the grocery business may have helped pave the way for his son, Solomon, to eventually become a doctor. At first, Solomon worked as a clerk for his father in 1886 [13] but in 1888 he is listed as a student of Dr. O. H. Simmons. [14] The following year Solomon was taught by Dr. Galloway. [15] Solomon disappears from the city directories in 1890 [16] and it is possible he briefly left Leadville to pursue his education. Regardless, Solomon appears again in 1891, where his is listed as Dr. Solomon at 21 Union Block, 425 Harrison Avenue. Solomon is listed as part of the Lake County Medical Society in 1894. [17] In 1897 Solomon relocated his practice to 120 West 7th Street until moving back to 425 Harrison Avenue in 1899 where he remained until 1908. [18] In 1897 Solomon married Ms. Lillie Rose of Denver. [19] Solomon and his wife continued to reside in Leadville until 1909 when they moved to Salt Lake City. [20]

Carrie Kahn, Marx’s eldest daughter, does not appear in city directories and her records are few. Carrie’s marriage to Mr. Mayer (first name unknown), is not reported in newspapers but she appears as a widow in the 1900 census still living in Leadville. Carrie had two children, Walter and Evelyn, born in 1888 and 1890 respectively. [21]

In 1888 Tillie Kahn began working for Fred Butler at his Palace of Fashion department store, where she worked until 1892. In 1895 Tillie worked for the Beggs Dry Goods Company. She switched employers in 1900, relocating to M. J. Frantz’s business where she worked as a clerk. Tillie last appears in city directories in 1907. [22] By 1916 Tillie was “engaged in the insurance business in Twin Falls, Idaho.” [23]

Jacob Kahn started working at his father’s grocery store in 1890, where he remained for several years. From 1897 to 1898 Jacob worked as a bookkeeper at Schayer Mercantile Store, a prominent Jewish owned business. In 1899 Jacob began working at Baer Brothers Mercantile Company, where he would rise to the rank of Vice President in 1901. After 1909 Jacob moved to Salt Lake City. [24]

Edwin Kahn worked for Marx from 1894 to 1906. He started out as a clerk but became a manager in 1903. [25] May, the youngest daughter appears in city directories from 1897 to 1900. [26] Around 1900 she married Theodore Baer and by 1916 she resided in Southern California. [27]

In 1899, Fanny Kahn passed away and her funeral was held at the Temple Israel Synagogue. [28] Her remains were interred in the Leadville Hebrew Cemetery. Marx continued living in Leadville and the Herald Democrat suggests that he sometimes played a religious role in the community at Temple Israel. In 1905 at a wedding between Joseph Oliner and Louise Dorn of New York City, Marx “performed the rites of the Hebrew church and offered the newly made Mr. and Mrs. Oliner, the glass of wine, according to custom, and placed the ring on the bride’s finger…” [29] Marx continued living in Leadville until 1908 when he moved to Salt Lake City to be with the majority of his children. [30] In 1916 Marx passed away and was buried in Salt Lake City. [31]

Isaac Kahn
Married
Grocer
Head of Household
Born 1836
Born in Germany

Mina Kahn
Married
House keeper
Married to Isaac
Born 1850
Born in Germany

Lee Kahn
Son of Isaac and Mina
Doctor
Born 1867
Born Illinois

Jacob Kahn
Son of Isaac and Mina
Born 1870
Born in Illinois

Maurice Kahn
Son
Born Illinois
Son of Isaac and Mina

Aaron Kahn
Book Keeper
Possible brother of Isaac and Marx Kahn
Born 1845
Born in Germany

Herman Kahn
Single
Born 1882
Son of Isaac and Mina

Gertrude Martha Berryman Kahn
Born: 1885
Died:

Isaac Kahn was born during 1836 in Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1860. [32] Little is known of Isaac’s early years in the United States. However, by 1867 he was married to Mina (surname unknown) and they had their first son Lee, in Illinois. [33] Mina was born sometime between 1845 and 1850 in Germany. [34] The Kahns were in Illinois from at least 1867 to 1873. [35] In addition to Lee, the Kahns had two more sons in Illinois, Jacob and Maurice, born in 1870 and 1873 respectively. [36] Isaac was the brother of Marx Kahn, [37] whose family would also come to reside in Leadville.

In 1879 Isaac first appears in the Leadville city directories as a grocer near Hazel St. [38] The following year, Isaac moved his business to 504 East 6th St., and his residence to 506 East 6th St, where it was to remain until 1903. [39] In 1904 their residence moved to 222 East 9th Street. [40]

In 1882 Isaac and Mina had another son, Herman. [41] The 1880 and 1885 censuses both show an additional member of the Isaac Kahn household, in the form of Aaron Kahn. [42] He was born during 1845 in Germany [43] and it is possible Aaron was a brother or relative of Isaac, which is why he lived with him. In 1880 Aaron worked with Samuel A. Stone, as a commission merchant. [44] The following year Aaron was working with Isaac at his grocery store. [45] In 1883 Aaron’s residence moved to 528 E. 6th St., and he still worked for Isaac as a bookkeeper. [46] In 1884 Aaron moved back in with the Isaac household, but he now worked as a music teacher, a job he would occupy until 1886 when he ceases to appear in Leadville city directories. [47]

Isaac Kahn and his family are an excellent example of the level of social mobility possible for immigrants in the 19th century American West. Isaac was a grocer throughout most of his time in Leadville, but two of his sons would go on to become doctors. Lee Kahn appears as a student of Dr. Bosanko as early as 1887. [48] In 1889 he is listed as a physician at 116 West 4th Street. [49] By 1892 Lee Kahn was married to Ruth Ward. His marriage does not appear in the newspapers or census, but in 1892 his wife unfortunately appears in the Herald Democrat as the victim of a home invasion. Luckily, she was not seriously injured. [50] In 1894 Lee Kahn is listed as a member of the Lake County Medical Society. [51] Lee also contributed to medicine with the invention of a new medical instrument.

“To the many accomplishments that he is known to possess, Dr. Lee Kahn has lately added another, that of inventor. Of course, professionally dignity prevents him taking advantage of his invention as other creators of new ideas do, by having it patented, which to do would not be considered good form by his professional contemporaries. The invention, which is received with much favor by the medical fraternity, is a new aseptic applicator and injector, consisting of an ordinary applicator made of virgin silver with an opening through its entire length, and a graduated one-drachm-syringe to fit the handle. It is used the same as any other applicator, with the exception that nothing is applied to the cotton, but what medicine is desired is drawn into the syringe and after the applicator is introduced the syringe is screwed to the handle and the medicament injected into the cotton.

Medical journals speak in the highest terms of Dr. Kahn’s invention, that has already won a high place in the opinions of the profession.” [52]

Both Maurice and Jacob Kahn worked for their father, Isaac, as clerks in his grocery store at 504 East 6th Street during 1890. [53] The next year Jacob began working as a clerk for Marx Kahn at 500 East 10th. [54] Maurice continued to work for his father until 1894, when he is listed as a student under his older brother Lee, studying medicine. [55] Maurice would later spend some time in Boston during 1898-1899, [56] it is possible that he was attending medical school. In 1892 Herman Kahn joined the workforce and worked as a grocer with his father. [57]

From 1898 to 1899, Isaac Kahn’s family experienced a string of untimely deaths. A newspaper article from 1898 reveals that Lee Kahn had a son, named Milo. Sadly, the article notes how Milo was “deathly ill” and had been taken to Denver in hopes of a recovery, [58] he was not to survive. [59] In December, 1898, Mina Kahn passed away due to typhoid. [60] Dr. Lee Kahn followed shortly afterward. He tragically died while recovering from a surgery in February, 1899. The following is an account of his death and includes his obituary from the Herald Democrat.

“Dr. Lee Kahn died at his room in the old post office building at 7:25 a. m. Sunday.

For three weeks previous he had been feeling badly but continued his practice regularly until last Thursday morning when he was so ill as to be unable to leave his bed. Drs. A. J. McDonald and Jeannotte were called in and on Friday Dr. Ballin entered the case. Dr. McDonald and Dr. Kahn himself had already diagnosed the case as being obstruction of the bowels, and Dr. Ballin concurred in and confirmed the diagnosis. Everything known to the profession was done for him in the succeeding forty-eight hours, and meanwhile nearly every physician in the city had seen him in obedience to the professional and social solicitude of the case. Dr. Kahn followed the practice of his attendant physicians in his case with intelligent interest and when they had exhausted every resource short of operation he urged the latter himself as a last resort while at the same time expressing his belief of a fatal termination.

At 4 p. m. Saturday the operation was performed, the conditions found verified the diagnosis and the obstruction was removed. Dr. Kahn rallied nicely from the opiates and appeared to be doing excellently until about 11 o’clock the same night when there was a relapse and it was recognized that recovery was impossible. He was entirely conscious to the last, thanked his physicians for their efforts on his behalf and passed quietly away after affectionate adieus to his afflicted wife and friends who surrounded the couch of the dying man.

Dr. Lee Kahn was born in Morrison Ill., July 19, 1867, and was therefore in his thirty-second year. He came to Leadville with his parents in 1879, attended our public schools for six years, and then went to Rush college to study medicine, graduating in 1889. He entered upon the practice of his profession in this city, marrying Miss Ruth Ward in May 1890, and has at all time been prominent in his profession as well as in social circles. He was examiner for United States pensions for five years past, as well as examiner for several local insurance and beneficiary associations. At the last meeting he was elected as one of the secretaries of that body and had already engaged rooms in connection with attendance at its annual meeting in May next. He also contemplated a European trip for which he had engaged berths to sail on July 1.

His wife, his aged father, Mr. I. Kahn of 506 East Sixth and two brothers survive Dr. Lee Kahn: one of the latter, Maurice, was telegraphed for and is now on his way from Boston and expected to reach here on Tuesday. Interment will be deferred pending his return.

Death has lain his cold hand heavily upon this family during the recent past. Only thirteen months ago Dr. Lee’s little son was taken, a bright and lively child, in whom the affections of parents and grandparents were warmly entwined. Mrs. Kahn, the doctor’s mother, died in December. His own death completes a chain of loss in three generations that falls heavily upon the family from the entire community.” [61]

In 1903, perhaps wanting to start his life anew after the death of his wife, son, and grandson, Isaac Kahn married Miss Hoefield of Chicago. [62] Later in 1906 Isaac moved to Chicago. Sometime between 1903 and 1915, Isaac’s second wife died and he once again remarried to Ida Greenburg in September, 1914. [63] Isaac’s children continued pursuing their medical professions. Herman became a dentist, moved to Boston, was married and had a daughter by 1912. [64]

Gertie Kahn was born Gertrude Martha Berryman to James H. and Hattie J. Berryman in 1885. [65] Her parents were Presbyterian, they and her brother Charles came to Leadville around 1887. Mother Hattie ran the Lake County Hospital and Poor House from 1899 [66] to 1904, [67] where the family also resided. [68] This did not help her brother Charles, who accidently shot himself with a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber hammerless revolver in the hallway of the family home on August 16, 1903. Though the 19 year-old received immediate medical attention and surgeons were able to remove the bullet, it had pierced his lung and stomach and he died from internal hemorrhaging later that evening. [69] Gertie’s father James, died at the age of 52, in Leadville, on April 1, 1911 after suffering for a week from an undisclosed illness. [70]

Hattie was a bit of a social butterfly, and attended many social functions around Leadville in her youth. Unlike her brother, Gertie was fortunate to be at home in the hospital when she had an attack of appendicitis in March of 1901. She survived the incident, but it took weeks for her to fully recover. [71] Though Gertie and Maurice were dating as early as December of 1905, [72] her parents did not announce the couple’s engagement until January 13, 1907, [73] a mere eight days before they married on January 21 at the Temple Israel synagogue. The legal proceedings were conducted by Judge Charles Cavender and afterwards Adolph Schayer gave the Jewish marriage rites. [74]

He remained in Leadville until 1915, practicing medicine, before moving to Los Angeles. [75] A few months after Maurice moved to Californian, Isaac passed away in Chicago. Isaac Kahn’s remains were transported back to Leadville for burial, and both Maurice and Herman returned for the funeral. [76]

Julius Kahn
Born Apr 1839
Married to Fanny
Born Germany
Married 1863
Immigration year 1857
Born in Germany

Fanny Kahn
Married to Julius
Born Jun 1841
Married 1863
Immigrated 1859
Born in Germany

Emma Kahn
Daughter of Julius and Fanny
Born 1865-1867?
Born in Indiana

Harry J Kahn
Son of Julius and Fanny
Born 1867
Born in Indiana

Lee J Kahn
Son of Julius and Fanny
Born Aug 1876
Born in Indiana

Ruth Kahn
Daughter of Julius and Fanny
Born July 1881
Born Texas

Julius Kahn was born in Germany during 1839 and immigrated at the age of 18 to the United States. [77] By 1863, Julius was in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he met and married Fanny Joseph. [78] Fanny was born in 1841 near Darmstadt, Germany. She immigrated to the United States when she was 18. [79] When Fanny married Julius she was in business with her two brothers. [80] After their marriage the Kahns moved to Evansville, Indiana, “Where Mr. Kahn and [Fanny’s] brothers were involved in the clothing business for several years.” [81] During their time in Indiana the Kahns had three children, Emma in 1865, Harry in 1867 and Lee in 1876. [82] Emma only appears in the 1885 census with the family. Shortly afterwards the family moved to Texas where Ruth was born in 1881. [83] Julius’ obituary mentions that the family had one more daughter, she and Emma were probably, “Mrs. Martin G. Kahn of Butte, Montana; and Mrs. I. C. Block of Dallas Texas.” [84] However, these two daughters do not appear in census records with the Kahn family after 1885, and are not found in Leadville city directories. The Kahns then moved to Leadville in 1881 and Julius first appears in the city directory residing at 322 East 4th Street. [85]

In 1882 Fanny appears in the city directory operating a store at 322 East 4th Street. From 1883 to 1885 the store was located at 111 East 3rd Street. Throughout the city directories, Fanny is listed as the owner of the business and Julius is the manager. In 1886 and 1887 the store was located at 115 East 3rd Street. The store briefly relocated to 109 East 3rd Street in 1888. During 1889 and 1890 the store appears at 142 East 5th Street. The store remained at 127 East 5th from 1892 to 1898. In 1889 the Kahns moved to 214 West 7th Street, which would be their family home for the rest of their time in Leadville. [86]

Lee J Kahn was active in Leadville’s workforce for a number of years. He worked as an office boy for the Singer MFG Company in 1892. From 1895 to 1902 he worked in his parents’ business. [87] Lee remained in Leadville until around 1904 when he was mentioned in the Herald Democrat as living in Salt Lake City. [88] In 1913 and 1920, Lee was living in San Francisco [89] and Los Angeles [90] respectively. Ruth married Isaac Baer sometime prior to 1904 (when she is listed in the Herald Democrat visiting Leadville with her husband), and moved to Meeker where Isaac had an extensive ranching operation. [91]

Besides being involved in the management of the store with his wife, Julius was also involved in the Leadville Democratic Party. However, this involvement came to an unhappy end in the fall of 1903 when Julius was the political victim of anti-establishment sentiment among his fellow Leadville Democrats. The following article from the Herald Democrat, elaborates on Julius’ fall and exile from Leadville Democratic party life.

“Julius Kahn has retired from the Democratic city central committee and has announced his intention of quitting politics for good.

Mr. Kahn was a candidate for committeeman from the seventh precinct in the primaries held Tuesday by the Democratic party. He was defeated by Thomas Raney, an ex-Populist, and alleges that rank political treachery and ingratitude figured in the accomplishment of the results at the primaries. Mr. Kahn openly expressed his denunciation of the methods alleged to have been used by Raney and his friends at the primaries. Yesterday Mr. Kahn sent to Col. J. A. Shinn, chairman of the city central committee, his resignation from membership in that body. The result of the primaries ends his official connection with the county organization. Mr. Kahn says he has grown weary of the degeneracy into which the Leadville and Lake County Democracy has fallen and will retire permanently from active participation with the politics of the city and county.

Mr. Kahn has been one of the staunchest supporters of Democratic principles in Lake county and has faithfully served his party throughout his long and useful life. His friends say the action at the primaries which resulted in turning down Mr. Kahn, a life-long Democrat, to give place to a Populist on the county central committee, was a display of base ingratitude which should be condemned by the faithful of his party.” [92]

The “political treachery” Julius referred to was as follows: Raney entered the race unannounced on election day. He then proceeded to collect unused ballots and scratched out Kahn’s name while replacing it with his own. Raney then distributed the tampered ballots to the voters. This was all without the knowledge of Julius Kahn and other Democratic Party leaders. [93] After his abrupt departure from politics, Kahn became more involved in his wife’s business and they prospered.

In 1913 the Kahns were mentioned in the Herald Democrat, for an exceptional occasion, Julius and Fanny’s Golden 50th year wedding anniversary. The following is an excerpt from an article in the Herald Democrat recording the occasion,

“A golden wedding, marking a half century of happy wedlock, and possibly the first anniversary of the kind ever observed in Leadville, will be rare occasion for a joyful celebration today by Mr. and Mrs. Julius Kahn at their home, 212 West Seventh street. On November 29, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Kahn were married in Cincinnati by Dr. Isaac M. Wise, long since deceased, who then was rabbi of the Jewish synagogue of that city.

Golden weddings are indeed rare. Usually they come when the celebrators are aged and feeble, but the anniversary today will be observed by a happy couple who seem in the prime of life. A long and active life, many years of it spent here in prosperous commission house business before his retirement, has failed to age Mr. Kahn, who said with a smile last night that he would be 75 in April; while Mrs. Kahn jokingly said, “I was sixteen when I was married; I’m still sixteen, of course. Then she stopped joking and made the correction. At the time of their marriage in 1863, she was 22, while Mr. Kahn was 23.

Today will bring forth many felicitous congratulations from the hosts of friends of the happy couple. The five children of the long-wedded pair appreciating the rarity of the occasion, have all planned to be present today, and all but one had arrived last night.

Mrs. Isaac Baer and her husband, formerly a prominent business man here, of Meeker; Mrs. M. G. Cohn of Butte, Montana; Mrs. Isadore C. Block of Dallas, Texas, - the three daughters – and Mrs. A. A. Sheurerman, of Butte, a granddaughter and the oldest daughter of Mrs. M. G. Cohn, had arrived last night. Harry J. Kahn, the elder son, resides at the family home, while Lee J Kahn, the younger son, of San Francisco, was expected to reach Leadville last night.

This family reunion will be one of the most pleasant features of the anniversary. All will unite again today at the parental table when an elaborate dinner will be served at noon.

A general reception to all the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Kahn will be held a t the home from three to five this afternoon. No personal invitations have been issued for this reception, Mr. and Mrs. Kahn wishing to receive each and all of their friends. They have sent a general invitation through the Herald Democrat, inviting all their friends to the general reception.” [94]

After their “Golden Anniversary” Julius, Fanny and their eldest son, Harry, continued to reside in Leadville. Julius and Fanny lived in retirement with their son Harry. It is unclear what occupation Harry pursued as his residence is all that is listed in the city directories up to 1918. [95] In 1919 Julius passed away in Pueblo, where he had been taken shortly before his death. His funeral was subsequently held in Denver. [96] In 1920 news reached Leadville that Lee J had died in Los Angeles, but the circumstances of his death were unreported. [97] Devastatingly, later that year, Ruth and her husband Isaac Baer died in a train-automobile collision in New Mexico on a trip to California. [98] Fanny continued on until January, 1923, when she also passed away. Her remains were interred in Denver with her husband. [99] It is unknown what became of Harry after the death of his parents. From 1881 to at least 1923, the Kahns were a family who lived in Leadville during the rise and decline of the city’s Jewish population and were a prototypic example of the many Leadville Jews who were involved in the business and politics of their community.