John P Hess 1857-1933

HESS, HILLMAN, DOPHEIDE, LEWIS, REINHART, SCHILTZ

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 6/13/2011 at 09:32:08

Jan 14, 1933 - Carroll Daily - John P. Hess, prominent banker of Carroll county, died yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock at his home at 203 South Court street. Death was the result of heart disease with which he had been afflicted for more than four years. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 9 o'clock at Ss Peter and Paul's church where a solemn requiem high mass will be celebrated. Burial will be in the Ss Peter and Paul's cemetery.

John P. Hess, son of John Hess, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, Nov. 12, 1857, and two years later was brought by his father to the United States. They came to Jackson county, where John P. Hess spent his boyhood days and early youth. He was a student at Piphono Institute, which was known as St. Francis seminary near Milwaukee, Wis., for two years and spent the same length of time at Cornell college at Mount Vernon. After his college career he taught in the rural schools of Jackson county for a time and at Frenchtown, now known as Gilbertsville, south of Waterloo.

He came to Carroll county in 1878 and since that time his life has been interwoven with the history of the county and town. His first position here was as teacher of the school at Mt. Carmel and he also served as the parishes organist. He was elected recorder of Carroll county in 1882 on the democratic ticket and was re-elected, in 1884. Before completing his last term of office, he was offered the position of cashier of the Carroll County bank, which was operated by A.W. Patterson and brother.

This he accepted and after serving four years in that capacity, Mr. Hess bought the controlling interest of A.W. Patterson and in 1888 reorganized the bank with William Arts, Sr., John Nockels, Sr., and Frank Leibfried. The bank's name was changed to the German Bank of Carroll county. The large stone building was erected in 1911. The bank continued in operation as a private bank until Jan. 1, 1918 when the state charter was granted and it became the Carroll County State bank, which is the establishment today with few minor changes in stock holders. Mr. Hess was president continuously since 1918, previous to that time he had been cashier and also president of the other organizations. He has been treasurer of the Independent School District of Carroll for 19 years.

He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hillman, a native of Passaic, N.J., at Carroll, Feb. 2, 1881 and to this union 10 children were born. John died at the age of 10 and the following with their mother survive: Miss Theresa, Miss Mayme, George J. Hess, Mrs. J.B. Dopheide, (Agnes), Mrs. Frank Lewis (Clara), Miss Catherine, Mrs. George Reinhart (Lillian), Carl J., and Miss Genevieve, all of Carroll. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Margaret Schiltz, also of Carroll.

After their marriage Mr, and Mrs. Hess went to housekeeping on the site now occupied by the Joyce Lumber company and then purchased the property on South Court street. Thirty years ago they built the spacious home which stands there.

In his younger days Mr. Hess was a sportsman and delighted in hunting. At one time he was shot in the leg and for a time it was thought he might lose it, but medical care saved it. He was one of the conservative business men of the town and had the reputation of being thoroughly reliable. Many of his former pupils still live in Carroll and vinicity and from time to time they came to him for advice, which was always forthcoming. He still has a collection of school books with the names and grades of pupils among the relics of earlier days. Best of all he loved his home and his family to whom he was a devoted father. He was a devout member of Ss Peter. and Paul's church and a charter member of Charles Carroll council, Knights of Columbus. His name had recently been placed on the honorary membership roll, an honor conferred upon those who have been members of 25 years standing or more.

Mr. Hess's first heart attack occurred in the fall of 1928 when, with his son Carl J. Hess, he went to Omaha at the time of the Al Smith campaign. He was taken ill and the physicians diagnosed the case of heart disease. He was in bed four or five months after the trip. Since that time he has been subject to severe attacks which finally brought on other complications.

His last illness dates from Nov. 1 when he became ill with the flu. On election day, though still weak, he insisted on doing his duty as a citizen and went downtown to cast his vote. He had been in a serious condition for several days, but yesterday rallied and said a few words to members of his family, the first for some time. Death came quietly. He was tenderly cared for by the members of his family who were assisted by the nurses, Miss Loretta Millenacker, and later Miss Olga Elsbecker.

For the last three years Mr. Hess has not taken an active part in the affairs of the bank. They have been efficiently executed by his two sons: George J. Hess, who has been associated with his father for 26 years in the bank, and Carl Hess, for 15 years. They have been assisted by George Werdel, who has been with the bank 12 years, and the board of directors. Carroll stores and business houses will be closed from 9 to 10 o'clock Monday morning during the funeral.