Ferdinand Kohl

FERDINAND KOHL, Cashier of the Old National Bank of Centralia. The Old National is the successor of the First National Bank, which was organized in 1865, and went into voluntary liquidation twenty years later. In March of 1885 an organization was perfected called the Old National Bank, which purchased the assets of the First National. The capital stock of the institution is $80,000, surplus capital #20,000. Its officers are: E. S. Condit, President; S. M. Warner, Vice-President; and Ferdinand Kohl, Cashier. The Directors are: E. S. Condit, F. Kohl, S. M. Warner, S. L. Dwight, W. M. Casey, Jacob Erbes and C. C. Davis. The present banking house was erected in 1888, and is one of the most substantial structures of the city.

A native of Germany, our subject was born in Nassau, Prussia, October 28, 1831, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Zeyher) Kohl, natives of Germany.

The father, who was a cabinet-maker by trade, emigrated to America with his family in 1853 and settled at Belleville, St. Clair County, ILL., but after a sojourn there of two years came to Centralia, where he continued to reside until his death in 1873. In his family were six children, all of whom are still living. They are:

1. Jacob, who is in business at Centralia;
2. Mrs. Louisa Heiss, who resides in this city;
3. Julius, a prominent physician and surgeon of Belleville, ILL., and a member of the Illinois State Board of Health;
4. Mrs. Christina Oster, a widow;
5. Mrs. Minnie Geiss, the wife of a manufacturer residing in Belleville, ILL.; and
6. Ferdinand, of this sketch.

In the land of his birth our subject was reared, and in its schools he gained a practical education, becoming a fluent speaker of the German, English and French languages. After leaving school, he devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits, and served a four years' apprenticeship to a business embracing grocery, flour mills, vermicelli factory and a general wholesale line. Afterward he gained a fair knowledge of the lumber business through a clerkship of two years. In 1853 he emigrated to the United States, and proceeding direct to Illinois, settled at Belleville, St. Clair County, where for two years he was a clerk in the employ of Kellermann Bros.

The year 1855 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Kohl in Centralia, where lie formed a partnership with S. M. Warner, and for ten years engaged in the general mercantile business, the firm being Kohl & Warner.

In 1865 he accepted the position of Cashier in the First National Bank, and when, in 1885, the bank was merged into the Old National, he still retained his position. Of the latter institution he was one of the organizers, and has been its only Cashier. With other important enterprises of the city and county, his name is indissolubly associated. He is Secretary, Treasurer and Director of the Centralia Light & Power Company, in the organization of which he was a prominent factor. He aided in the organization of the Centralia Fair Association, of which he is now the Treasurer. He has been Director and Treasurer of the Centralia Iron & Nail Works, and at the present time is Director and Treasurer of the Centralia Mining & Manufacturing Company.

In the city of New York, May 11, 1860, Mr. Kohl was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Jokel, who was born and reared in Frankfort, Germany. The union has resulted in the birth of six children:

1. Arnold, senior member of the firm of Kohl Bros., grocers of Centralia;
2. Oscar, Cashier of the First National Bank of San Bernardino, Cal.;
3. Ferdinand, who is the junior member of the firm of Kohl Bros., Centralia;
4. Walter, who has been clerking in the Old National Bank, but is now traveling for his health, being at present in Colorado;
5. Flora, who resides with her parents; and
6. Harry, a clerk for Kohl Bros.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Kohl has been so closely engrossed in his business as to leave little time for public affairs. He is a friend of the public school system, and has served as a member of the Board of Education. He and his wife are identified with the German Evangelical Church, and he was one of the organizers of the church at Centralia, which he has served as Trustee for many years. He is still a member of the firm of Kohl & Warner, an enterprising firm of this city, and the owners of the Kohl & Warner Block. He began in business without means, but by industry and good business methods he has accumulated a handsome competence. He is peculiarly adapted for the intricate business of banking, and the solid foundation upon which the Old National rests is largely due to his financial skill. As a careful, safe and successful financier he stands high in the commercial world.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 217-218
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer