B. F. Mahn & Sons, Inc in De Soto, MO provides a range of HVAC and plumbing services across Jefferson County. We are certified licensed plumbing and mechanical contractors and are associated with the Better Business Bureau and the NFIB.
Our company is bonded and insured, so you can feel good about trusting us with your plumbing, heating, or cooling needs.
Our company has been family-owned and operated since 1868, and is currently run by Bernard F. “Biff” Mahn III and his sister Beth (Mahn) Ross of De Soto.
The company still operates out of the same two-story brick building where their great-great-grandfather was recorded as a blacksmith in 1868. The family believes it is the oldest business still operating in DeSoto, family or otherwise, and is proud to not only carry on their family's name, but provide excellent service to Jefferson County communities including: DeSoto, Festus, Hillsboro, Crystal City, Grubville, Dittmer,, Arnold, Barnhart, Herculaneum, High Ridge, House Springs, Imperial, Lonedell, Hematite, Mapaville and Cadet, Richwoods, St. Clair, and Fenton in neighboring areas.
B.F. Mahn & Sons, Inc began as a horse and carriage blacksmith shop with no formal name operated by John Kempe. Kempe's blacksmithing business continued into the second generation with his son, Henry Kempe. Henry's daughter, Mildred, married Bernard F. "Dutch" Mahn, who expanded his in-laws' operation in the 1920s. Dutch started a tinsmithing shop on the upper floor, where he did gutters, roofs, and stovepipes. For a little over a decade, both businesses thrived, the blacksmith on street level and tinsmith on the upper level. By the mid-1930, even the largely rural, horse-and-buggy town of DeSoto, was going mobile as automobiles became the transportation of choice, and the need for blacksmithing services faded. The family restructured the business plan to advance with the changing times.
As an innovative entrepreneur, Dutch Mahn led the area in a new direction with the advancement of indoor plumbing and heating technologies. Phillip “Phil” William Mahn and Bernard F. “Bernie” Mahn, Jr. were next in line to continue the legacy in the 1950’s. Bernie ran and expanded the thriving business while Phil continued with the plumbing and tinsmith skills.
Biff Mahn’s own introduction into the business came at a tender age of 10. He began holding flashlights for the men and sometimes getting into crawl spaces, in between floor joists or anywhere else the bigger guys couldn’t fit. He didn’t collect a dime but gained priceless knowledge. He began earning a paycheck during high school, working summers as a plumber’s apprentice. He’s been there ever since.
Beth (Mahn) Ross started working summers when she was 15, but unlike her brother, she didn’t come back into the family business as an equal collaborator until 1993 when Bernie was forced into early retirement due to failing health. Beth stepped into her father’s shoes, running the business and continues as a respected leader in the community.
The next generation has been launched at B. F. Mahn & Sons, Inc. Jonathan “J.P.” Mahn has put on the uniform in the image of the exceptional men before him. J.P. attended the local college to gain his certification. His education, his determination and his natural ability will take us into the future…
B. F. Mahn & Sons, Inc. is here today – and will be tomorrow.
B. F. "Biff" Mahn, III
Beth (Mahn) Ross
Jonathan "J.P." Mahn
Brian Scott
Pat Youngman
Danny Lewis
Gabe Mahn
James Degenhardt
Pat Raymond
Allen Gore
Wendy Hammond
For over 145 years, B.F. Mahn & Sons, Inc. has provided plumbing and HVAC services in De Soto, MO and surrounding areas. We are proud to be family-owned and operated, and work hard to treat every client like family.
For more information about our plumbing, heating, cooling, or bathroom remodeling services, please give us a call at (636) 586-2300 or fill out a contact form
