The Story of Harry Truman’s (Failed) Haberdashery in KC

Circa 1920: Harry Truman (left) and friends in the haberdashery in Kansas City, Missouri. Courtesy Truman Library.

In 1919, Harry S. Truman, recently returned from service in World War I, decided to start a business in Kansas City with Eddie Jacobson, a fellow veteran. On November 28, 1919, they opened Truman & Jacobson, a men’s clothing store located at 104 West 12th Street, across from the well-known Muehlebach Hotel.

The haberdashery was located on the ground floor of the Glennon Hotel, which was demolished in 1930 to make way for the Hotel Phillips. The store specialized in men’s accessories such as shirts, belts, gloves, and hats. Truman handled the bookkeeping and sales, while Jacobson used his background in the clothing business to manage inventory.

Postcard of the Glennon Hotel, where Truman’s clothing store was located. This building was demolished in 1930 to make way for the Hotel Phillips. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

Initially, the business performed well, benefiting from its central location and the partners' strong connections, particularly among veterans of their former military unit. However, in the early 1920s, the United States experienced an economic downturn marked by deflation and unemployment. The recession severely impacted small businesses, including Truman & Jacobson. Despite their efforts to keep the store running, declining sales forced them to close in September 1922.

The closure left both Truman and Jacobson in significant debt. Jacobson declared bankruptcy in 1925, but Truman chose not to, instead committing to repay his debts over time. This decision reflected Truman's strong sense of responsibility and integrity.

Truman’s experience with financial hardship and running a business influenced his later decisions as a public servant. As president, he often emphasized fiscal responsibility and showed an understanding of how economic policies affected ordinary Americans.

Letter from Jacobson to President Truman, advocating for Truman’s support of Israel. Courtesy Truman Library.

Furthermore, his relationship with his hometown friend would go on to have a global impact, as Jacobson had a significant influence on Truman’s handling of Israel. For a full account of that story, I highly suggest reading this fascinating article from Shirley Christian / JCHS.

The challenges he faced at the haberdashery with Eddie Jacobson helped shape his approach to leadership and decision-making, leaving a lasting impact on his career in public service.