Honn, Peter K.

Born: 1814-07-22 Nicholas County, Kentucky

Died: 1893-07-30 Coles County, Illinois

Alternate name: Hon

Peter K. Honn was a blacksmith, farmer, county government official, and minister. Honn spent his early years on the family farm in his native Nicholas County, Kentucky. At the age of eighteen, Honn embarked on a career as a blacksmith. He left Kentucky in 1835, settling first in Edgar County, Illinois and later in Sangamon County, where he worked as a blacksmith for about six months. In 1836, Honn moved to Hitesville, where he opened his own blacksmith shop. In June 1837, he married Matilda Woods, with whom he had six children. Around 1842, he purchased land, which he developed as part of his blacksmith establishment, and had also received ordination as a minister in the Christian Church. From March 1842 to July 1844, Honn served as postmaster of Hitesville. He also served as a justice of the peace for sixteen years and was chairman of the Coles County Board of Supervisors for one term. In 1850, Honn owned real property valued at $1,200. By 1860, he had real estate worth $1,000 and a personal estate valued at $1,400.

The History of Coles County, Illinois (Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr., 1879), 599; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Coles County, IL, 112; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Coles County, IL, 290; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Coles County, 22 June 1837, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1832-1844, 12b:486, National Archives Building, Washington, DC; Gravestone, Ashmore Cemetery, Coles County, IL.