H. H. KOHN. The flourishing, prosperous cities and villages of Union
county, Illinois, have furnished a field for the successful development of
the careers of some of the foremost citizens of Southern Illinois, and this
fact has been demonstrated in no uncertain manner in the life of H. H. Kohn,
a prominent business man and able public official of Anna, whose activities
have also served as an example of what may be accomplished by the man of
industry, perseverance and ability, no matter how humble his start in life
may be. Mr. Kohn is a native of Europe, and came to America as an orphan boy
in 1874, when only thirteen years of age. He had no relatives in this
country, nor even acquaintances, but on arriving in Boston managed to secure
employment as a cash boy at a salary of $2.50 per week, on which he
supported himself. Later, by his industry and good habits, he was advanced
to $3.00 per week, and after a year was given the position of bookkeeper
with the same concern, his wages being again increased. In all Mr. Kohn
spent two years in Boston, and in 1876, deciding there was a better future
for him farther West he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and for three years was
employed as a clerk.
In 1879, having saved between $300 and $400, Mr. Kohn came to the conclusion
that he was ready to enter the business field on his own account, and
subsequently located in Jerseyville, Illinois, where, with a friend from the
old country he established himself as a general storekeeper. This business,
however, did not prove such a successful venture as had been anticipated,
and the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Kohn returning to his duties as a
clerk. About fifteen months later, having established a good line of credit,
Mr. Kohn was able to secure backing from Mr. A. W. Cross, of Jerseyville,
Illinois, and opened a store at Chesterfield. Here he was again met by
discouraging circumstances, for the mine failed, and the town thus losing
the industry upon which all business depended, he was forced to close out
his stock. These several disappointments would have caused some men to lose
heart, but Mr. Kohn was made of sterner stuff and, nothing daunted, started
all over again as a commercial traveler for a wholesale house, being given
the Southern Illinois territory. When twenty-seven years of age, on his
first trip, he had occasion to visit the village of Anna, and was quick to
recognize the fact that this was to be some day a prosperous community. Two
years later, therefore, he opened a business here, and it was successful
from the start. He is a director of the Anna National Bank, and president of
the Commercial Club, having been the only incumbent of that position which
he has held for two years.
In 1886 Mr. Kohn was married to Miss Peebles, who was born at Chesterfield,
Illinois, in 1860. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Kohn
belongs to Lodge No. 520, A. F. & A. M., R. A. C., and Knight Templar No.
13, Cairo. Politically a stanch Republican he has been active in the ranks
of his party, is present secretary of the Congressional Committee, and for
ten successive years was chairman of the County Central Committee. He was
first appointed a member of the board of trustees of the Southern Illinois
Hospital for the Insane by Governor Tanner, and has since received
appointments to the same office from Governors Yates and Deneen, being an
incumbent thereof for twelve years up to the present time. In May, 1910, he
was appointed by Governor Deneen a member of the commissioners to dispose of
lands on Kaskaskia Island. Mr. Kohn's activities have always been along
lines of progress, and while developing his own interests has always been
ready to assist in anything that would be of benefit to his adopted
locality. He bears a high reputation among his business associates, and his
advice is often sought on matters of commercial importance. As a man who has
worked himself up from a poor emigrant boy, without friends or means, in a
strange country, to a position among the most substantial men of his
locality, Mr. Kohn merits the respect in which he is held by his fellow
townsmen, and as he has been successful in making his fortune, so has he
been equally fortunate in making friends, who are to be found all over this
part of the county.
Extracted from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 2, pages 640-641.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
 |
Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
