Julius Kahn, whose varied career has brought forth activity in many lines of usefulness and of benefit to his fellow men, was born in Germany on the 28th of February, 1861, and is the eldest child of Herman and Jeanette (Weil) Kahn, who are also natives of Germany. The father was reared and educated in his native country and in 1865 came to America, settling in Calaveras County, California, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Later he removed to San Francisco, where he conducted a bakery and restaurant. In 1866 Mrs. Kahn joined her husband in the new world, having remained in the fatherland until he had established a home for her at Mokelumne Hill in Calaveras County. Mr. Herman Kahn is still living at the age of seventy-one years, but his wife passed away in 1900 at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of six sons and one daughter.
Julius Kahn was brought to America by his mother when a little lad of five years and was educated in the public schools of Calaveras County, also of Stockton, San Joaquin County, where he attended school for a year, and in the public and high schools of San Francisco. He put aside his textbooks at the age of sixteen years and entered upon his business career in a clerical capacity in a commission house. At the age of eighteen years, possessing much histrionic talent, he went upon the stage and as a representative of that profession traveled extensively throughout the country, supporting such famous actors as Edwin Booth, Joseph Jefferson, Tommaso Salvini, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence, and Clara Morris. In 1890 Mr. Kahn left the stage and took up the study of law. In 1894, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. He has since been active as a representative of the legal profession and now has a good clientage in San Francisco, the extent and importance of his practice continually increasing. While he has become well known as a lawyer, he has at the same time been prominent in public affairs in other walks of life. In 1892 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and served in the assembly for one term, while in 1894 he declined a nomination for the state senate, preferring to do his duty in advancing the best interests of the commonwealth as a private citizen. In 1898, however, he was elected to represent his district in Congress and was re-elected in 1900, thus serving for four consecutive years, but in 1902 he was defeated for the position. He became an active factor in developing and managing the financial interests of the enterprise known as the Mid-winter Fair and was appointed secretary of the finance committee, his labor contributing in large measure to its success.
On the 19th of March, 1899, Mr. Kahn was united in marriage to Miss Florence Prag, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and a daughter of Conrad and Mary Prag. Her father was a pioneer settler of California, arriving in this state in 1848. Mrs. Kahn received her education in California, and following her graduation from the State University she engaged in teaching in the high school of San Francisco up to the time of her marriage. Her mother, Mrs. Mary Prag, has been largely interested in educational work in the state and is at present at the head of the history department of the girls’ high school of San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. Kahn has been born one son, Julius, whose birth occurred on the 14th of March, 1902.
Mr. Kahn is very prominent and influential in social circles. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the I. O. B. B., to the Eagles, and is a life member of the Actors’ Order of Friendship. He is likewise a member of the Union League Club and the Press Club of San Francisco, also the Green Room Club of New York. His travels and varied experiences have made him a man of the world in the best sense of the term, a man familiar with the political and social conditions of life, with its art and educational interests, and with the various elements that contribute to the progress and prosperity of his home city. Courteous and affable in manner, the circle of his friends is constantly broadening, and he enjoys the high regard of all with whom he comes in contact.
Source: Leigh H. Irvine; A History of the New California Its Resources and People, 2 Volumes; New York and Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903.