Richmond, Benjamin

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

Benjamin Richmond is head of the B. Richmond Department Store at 635-637 Osage Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. One of the leading merchants of this city since 1901, his is a record of success in every way unusual and most creditable. He came to America without capital and at one time worked for very low wages.

He comes of a high class and cultured Jewish family. He was born in Russia September 15, 1874, one of the four children still living whose parents were Rev. Moses and Bessie Richmond, who were also natives of Russia. Rev. Moses Richmond was a rabbi in the Jewish faith, was highly educated, and became one of the highest men in his church in England, to which country he removed when Benjamin was a small child. Reverend Richmond was rabbi in Darlington, England, and was appointed by Doctor Alder, the highest rabbi in England. Rev. Mr. Richmond died in 1890 in England. His son David Richmond, now residing in London, is a rabbi and follows his father's footsteps.

Benjamin Richmond had a liberal education largely under the direction of his father, and as a boy he received a diploma qualifying him for the work of rabbi. It was his early ambition to take his father's place, but he was too young for that, and at the age of seventeen he set out for America to join some relatives. He landed at Boston, spent a short time in New York, and then went South to Georgia, where he worked in a store a few years. Later he removed to Shreveport, Louisiana, and then later went to Kansas City, Missouri, and there married Lena Shanberg, daughter of P. Shanberg, who was well known as a merchant on Grand Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Benjamin Richmond made his progress in commercial affairs in spite of adverse circumstances and largely as a result of hard and persistent work. While working in stores he studied hard to master English and also attended high school for a year or so. He started business in Kansas City, Kansas, with only a modest capital, but now operates one of the best department stores in the city.

Mr. Richmond had always been interested in civic affairs and was one of the charter members and organizers of the Commerce State Bank of Rosedale, Kansas. This bank was organized in 1916. He is a stockholder in the People's National Bank. In politics he is an independent who follows the man rather than the party. He had attained high rank in Masonry, is a member of the Scottish Rite and Abdallah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and B'nai B'rith Jewish Association. He had given liberally to the American Jewish Relief Commission and to other causes in behalf of education and philanthropy. He is an active member of the Jewish temples in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have three children: Edna Rosa, Pearl and Marvin Paul.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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