Joseph C. Cohn, Argonia, Kan. In the passing of Mr. Cohn in 1908 Kansas lost one of its pioneer educators and one of its most respected and useful citizens. Mr. Cohn was a native of Indiana, born at Milltown Feb. 20, 1855, a son of Casper and Catherine (Fella) Cohn, the former of whom was a native of France and the latter of Germany. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Joseph C. was second in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Indiana and at Central Normal College, Danville, Ind., from which institution he graduated. He engaged in the teaching profession several years in Indiana prior to his removal in 1879 to Kansas, where for a few years he was a teacher in the academy at Atchison. He subsequently became principal of the Attica city schools, his labor there being for several years during the '80s. He then removed to Grant county, where he preëmpted land, continuing, however, to teach in the meantime and also to do clerical work in different of the county offices. While attending the Grant county summer normal he met Miss Esther Hickok, a Grant county teacher who also was proving up on land while pursuing her professional duties. Having made final proof on their respective claims they were married Dec. 20, 1889, in a claim sod house. Mrs. Cohn is a daughter of J. E. and O. L. Hickok, for many years residents of Argonia, where the father was engaged in the mercantile business. He passed away at Anthony in 1906.

Mr. Cohn was principal of the city schools of Ulysses at the time of his marriage and subsequently filled a similar position in the schools of Argonia, remaining in that capacity several years. He had also at different times served as township trustee. In 1907 he was appointed postmaster at Argonia and on January 22 of the following year his demise occurred. He was mayor of Argonia at the time of his death. Mrs. Cohn was appointed to succeed her husband as postmaster and has since very efficiently and acceptably performed the duties of that office. Seven children survive the father, viz.: Cecil and Cyril (twins), Carroll, William, Natalie, Marie and Charles. The first three named are now students at the University of Kansas. For three years previous to his appointment as postmaster, Mr. Cohn was a rural mail carrier and was one of the principal organizers of the State Association of Rural Mail Carriers, serving as its first president.

His fraternal affiliations were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In church faith and membership he was a Methodist and was prominent and active in the work of his church. The Cohn family is recognized as one of a high character. Both the father and the mother, by precept and example, have given to their children and to their fellow citizens a high standard of usefulness and influence, and no citizen was more worthy of universal esteem than was the departed father. Mrs. Cohn shares the high regard in which her husband was held and remains an inspiration and a guiding influence to her children.