Hugo Cohn was born on November 12, 1851 in Halberstadt. His parents were the “merchant” Jacob Heinemann Cohn and Louise, née Marcuse, both of Halberstadt. He was married to Selma Lasch (December 15, 1861-July 31, 1929), whose family ran a glove factory in Halberstadt. In 1880, Hugo Cohn founded the Leinenhaus Cohn (Cohn Linens) at Westendorf No. 34a. The assortment included tablecloths, bed linens and custom made linen dowries. Workwear was also on offer. The store was renowned and successful.Hugo and Selma Cohn had three children: Hans (born August 7, 1885), Ernst (born December 4, 1886) and Lucie (born October 28, 1897). Hans, the eldest, went to Berlin while Ernst joined the Leinenhaus Cohn. Ernst was a soldier in World War I.