Kuhr Family Papers

This collection contains papers of the Frank, Wortsman, and Kuhr families, who have been active in Congregation Mickve Israel and in Savannah civic affairs. Carrie Dobriner Frank Wortsman (1883-1947), a native of Kansas City, Missouri, came to Savannah after she married Leopold Frank (1870-1919). Their daughter, Juliet Helene Frank (1906-2003) was born in 1906. Frank had come to Savannah as a boy with his parents from Germany. He ran a wholesale harness manufacturing business when he died suddenly in 1919. Carrie apparently ran the company after he died; her occupation on a 1921 passport is given as “Executive” and her last name is still Frank. Carrie later married Edgar L. Wortsman (1882-1947) who became president of the Frank Corporation. Wortsman was a native Savannahian. He was a city alderman from 1925-1937 and was active in civic and fraternal organizations. He served on the board of the Savannah Public Library and the Armstrong Junior College Commission. When Carrie and Edgar died a few months apart in 1947, the Frank Corporation was by then a wholesale automotive equipment company.

Juliet Helene Frank married Raymond M. Kuhr (1902-1972) in 1929. Their son, Lee Jay Kuhr (1931-2001) was born in 1931. Juliet was a teacher and was Superintendent of the Mickve Israel Religious School for many years. She served as president of the Savannah Section National Council of Jewish Women in 1952.

Raymond M. “Bus” Kuhr was a native of Brazil, Indiana. He was a partner in the Homebuilders Construction Co. Kuhr was chairman of the Talmadge Bridge Committee. He succeeded Sidney Wortsman (Edgar’s brother) as editor of Congregation Mickve Israel’s newsletter, Contact, and was active in the Brotherhood of Mickve Israel, as well as the Harmonie Club and other organizations. Kuhr served as president of the congregation from 1953-1955.