My Genealogy Hound

HENRY W. HAHN, who is part owner and manager of the Percy Flouring Mills, of Percy, Ill., is recognized as one of the leading business men of this place, and is one of the prominent and progressive citizens, who is wide awake to the best interests of the community in which he makes his home. He is numbered among the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Red Bud, on the 7th of November, 1867. He is the eldest child of John P. F. and Catherine (Kurtz) Hahn. His father was a native of Germany, and when a young man he came to America. He is a shoemaker by trade, and in the old home followed that pursuit. On arriving in this country he carried on a shoe store in St. Louis for a number of years, but at length his store and stock were destroyed by fire, and having no insurance to cover his losses, he did not re-engage in business there. He became connected with city affairs in St. Louis and continued there to make his home until 1859, when he removed to Red Bud. For ten years he there carried on a shoe store, after which he returned to St. Louis and was employed on the police force for some time. Later he engaged in the retail liquor business in that city, and subsequently engaged in the same trade for eight years in Red Bud. He then again resumed shoemaking, which he still follows. He has held the offices of City Marshal and City Treasurer, and his prompt and faithful discharge of public duty has won him high commendation. Both he and his wife are still living in the enjoyment of good health.

We now take up the personal history of our subject, who is widely and favorably known to the readers of this volume. He acquired his education in Red Bud, and at the age of fifteen left school, at which he began learning the milling trade, which he followed in his native town for a year. He then went to St. Louis, where he was employed in various ways for four months, after which he entered the Eggers Mills, of that city, continuing with the same for two and a-half years as an employe. On the expiration of that period he was appointed head miller of the concern, which position he held for three years in an able and satisfactory manner. In the year 1888 he went to Roodhouse, Ill., and for eight months had charge of the mills at that place, after which he went to Campbell Hill, where he was in charge of the mills for three years. He then began business for himself. A new mill was built in Percy by him and his brother, and removing to this place, Mr. Hahn has since conducted the Percy Mills. They are supplied with the latest roller system and all modern conveniences along that line.

On the 1st of July, 1888, Mr. Hahn married Maggie S. Lynden, daughter of Catherine Lynden, of Ireland. Two children have been born to them, Olivia and Lillian, who are still with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn are members of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics he has followed in the footsteps of his father and is now a stanch advocate of the Republican party. He has never sought office, however, as he prefers to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He has steadily worked his way upward unaided, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and is now recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community.