David Friedman

DAVID FRIEDMAN is one of the city's progressive young merchants and good citizens. He comes of German stock on both sides of the family and shares in those many excellent qualities which have made the German one of our favorite sources of immigration, America having everything to gain and nothing to lose from the assimilation of this brainy, honest and generally admirable stock, which has given to the world so many of her greatest men. The subject's parents, Jacob and Jennie Friedman, were both born in the Fatherland, the former in 1856, and their marriage occurred in Evansville, Indiana. The father came to this country when a young boy and located in Detroit, Michigan. There he entered upon his career as a factor in the world of affairs by selling goods, and subsequently removed to Evansville, Indiana, where he became established in the mercantile business. Subsequent to this he spent two years in Illinois and his identification with Kansas City dates from the winter of 1885, since which time he has been engaged in merchandising. He is one of the public-spirited, progressive citizens of Kansas City. In politics he has Republican tendencies, but is independent in local affairs, ever giving his support to whichever he believes the better man and the better measure. Of the six children born to the elder Mr. Friedman and his wife, the following four are living: Etta, Lena, David and Joseph.

The education of Mr. Friedman, the immediate subject of this review, was obtained in Kansas City, at the Wood Street school at the time that Professor M. E. Pearson was principal. He faced the responsibilities of life at an early age, - when fifteen in fact - securing a position with Burnham, Hanna, Munger & Company, a wholesale dry goods company, with whom he continued for ten years and a half and with whom he learned the many details of the important business with which he was permanently to identify himself. In July, 1903, when only about twenty-three years of age, he entered the mercantile field independently and his establishment has encountered fair seas and much prosperity, his executive capacity, sound judgment, fine methods and ability to inspire confidence having had their logical result.

Mr. Friedman was happily married on Christmas day, 1904, when Miss Lottie Ebeling, became his wife. They share their attractive home with a little daughter, Doris. The head of the house is an enthusiastic Mason, holding membership in Kaw Lodge, No. 272, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in Caswell Consistory, No. 5. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is likewise affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.