TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Finding Aid to the Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers. 1902-2005.
Manuscript Collection No. 778
Introduction |
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| Repository: | The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
| Creator: | Cohen, Joseph, 1902-1974 |
| Title: | Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers |
| Dates: | 1902-2005 |
| Quantity: | 1.6 linear feet (4 Hollinger boxes) |
| Abstract: | The Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers contain personal and business papers of Joseph Cohen, a Kansas City banker and lawyer, together with papers of his son, Barton. |
| Collection Number: | MS-778 |
| Language: | Collection material in English |
Biographical Sketch
Joseph Cohen
Joseph Cohen was born on March 23, 1902 in Kansas City, Missouri. After attending the University of Kansas and the University of Colorado, Cohen obtained his LLB at the University of Missouri in Kansas City in 1924.
Prior to entering law practice, Cohen worked as a newspaper reporter for the Kansas City Star for seven years. In 1924 Cohen organized the Kansas Association of B’nai B’rith Lodges. Remaining active in B’nai B’rith, Cohen was later elected president of District Grand Lodge No. 2 and was a member of the national commission of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith for 35 years.
In the early years of his law practice, Cohen earned a reputation for winning civil case judgments on behalf of African American clients. He often spoke in favor of laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and maintained an interest in civil rights legislation throughout his career. Cohen was also a banker, being chairman of the board of Rosedale State Bank and Trust Company of Kansas City and the Metcalf State Bank of Overland Park, Kansas.
Very active in communal affairs, Cohen was a member and officer in many groups, including the American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and numerous other local groups. Cohen was a member of Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Kansas City, and an honorary member of the Board of Congregation Ohev Sholom, Prairie Village, Kansas.
Married to Margaret Pollock, Cohen had three children: Barton, Hildred, and Miles. Following Margaret’s death, Cohen married Marjorie Blond.
Joseph Cohen died on September 2, 1974.
Barton P. Cohen
Joseph’s son, Barton P. Cohen (1930-2006) assumed control of the Metcalf State Bank upon his father’s death. Together with his wife Mary, Barton was also very involved in the Kansas City area community. Through his professional and charitable activities Barton made a lasting impact in the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of Kansas City, as his papers attest.
Scope and Content Note
The Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers contain personal and business papers of Joseph Cohen, a Kansas City banker and lawyer, together with papers of his son, Barton.
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged in two (2) series:
Restrictions
Terms of Access and Use
The Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers are open to all users. The original manuscript collection is available in the Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
Property and Literary Rights
Dr. Mary Cohen, by the act of donating the Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers to the American Jewish Archives, assigned all property rights to the American Jewish Archives. Literary rights are retained by the Cohen heirs. Literary rights may also be retained by specific creators of materials.
Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives. For more information see the American Jewish Archives copyright information webpage.
Related Material
Separated Material
Included with this collection were a large amount of non-print materials (photographs and audio recordings) of Joseph and Barton Cohen. More information on these items may be obtained through the online catalog of the American Jewish Archives.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:
[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-778. Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Provenance
The Joseph and Barton Cohen Papers were received from Dr. Mary Cohen of Overland Park, Kansas in 2009.
Processing Information
Processed by Kevin Proffitt, December, 2009.
Accruals and Additions
No further accruals are expected to this collection.
Box Folder Listing
Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the American Jewish Archives's online catalog.