Hess, William W.

HESS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 11:56:12

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.983

WILLIAM W. HESS
William W. Hess, a successful farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 7, Liberty Township, was born near Morgantown, West Virginia, on the Monongahela River, December 31, 1842, a son of James T. and Sarah (Hite) Hess, both of old Virginia families. The grandparents of our subject were John and Hannah (Tibbs) Hess, the former born in Pennsylvania of German descent, while the latter was born of Irish parents, on the Atlantic Ocean. John Hess was a strict Presbyterian in religious faith. James T. Hess was one of five children, of whom one brother, John W., is a retired farmer re­siding at Tarkie, Atchison County, Missouri.
The father of William W. Hess was born in Virginia and owned two hundred and eighteen acres of land in that state. He was a prominent man of affairs, largely interested in lumber, stock, etc. Previous to Abraham Lincoln's election he was a Douglas Democrat, but from that time forward gave staunch allegiance to the principles of the Republican Party, and in 1855 he freed the slaves which had been given him by his father. He served as revenue collector, judge of court, and in other positions of public trust demon­strated his capability in handling the interests entrusted to his care. He was a Missionary Baptist, and his demise occurred in Morgantown, West Virginia, when he had attained the age of sixty-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Hite, was born in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1800, her parents being George and Lucy (Longnecker) Hite, the former a mechanic and carpenter. Both passed away at Morgantown. Sarah Hite accompanied her parents on their removal to Morgantown, where she gave her hand in marriage to James T. Hess and they had the following chil­dren: Joseph S., a retired liveryman who makes his home at Morgantown, West Virginia; Mary, who became the wife of S. S. Steward, a civil engineer by profession, who died at Fairmount in 1906; William W., of this review; Taylor, residing at Morgantown, who is a large landowner and is also inter­ested in a glass factory; Thomas, an agriculturist of Waynesville, Ohio; Jud­son, who is connected with the Sanders Manufacturing Company of Dayton, Ohio; Elsa, who wedded Jennie Carruthers and is a retired and wealthy citi­zen of Morgantown; George, whose demise occurred about eighteen years ago; and Hannah. Mrs. Sarah Hess died at Xenia, Ohio, in 1882, when she had at­tained the age of eighty-two years.
William W. Hess was reared in the place of his nativity to the age of twenty years, when, his patriotic spirit being aroused, he enlisted as a member of Company C, Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry, on the 14th of August, 1862. He served as corporal and sergeant and his military record is a most creditable and honorable one. He was three times wounded and still carries a three-ounce ball of lead. His service entailed participation in nineteen regular battles besides numerous skirmishes, including the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, when Sheridan made his famous ride, being wounded twice in this encounter. He was also present at the time of the engagement at Cloud Mountain and witnessed the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. On being mustered out in September, 1865, he returned to Morgantown, there residing until March 25, 1868, when he made his way to his present home in Warren County, Iowa. His holdings comprise about four hundred acres of well improved land and his home farm is located on section 7, Liberty Township, where he carries on agricultural and stock-raising interests. He owns a farm on section 5 and one on section 30, two of his sons operating these tracts. Mr. Hess is a carpenter and to some extent has followed that trade in this county. He is well known as one of the prosperous and enterprising residents here and the large degree of prosperity which has attended his efforts is but the merited reward of his untiring industry and excellent busi­ness ability.
Mr. Hess has been married twice. He first wedded, in West Virginia, Miss Rebecca Barker, who passed away June 17, 1868. Subsequently he mar­ried Miss Lizzie Young, who was born in Indiana in 1853, a daughter of James Young. Her father came to Warren County in 1855, carrying on agri­cultural pursuits in Squaw Township until the time of his death, which oc­curred in August, 1907, when he was seventy-two years of age. He had been twice married and his widow now resides at Creston. Mrs. Hess has two sis­ters, one half-sister and three half-brothers. By her marriage she has become the mother of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Lulu is the wife of Harry Bradford, a farmer of Liberty Township, and they have one daugh­ter. J. C., is an agriculturist of Liberty Township, operating a two hundred acre farm belonging to his father. He married Miss Fleet Sargent, a daughter of E. G. Sargent, and they have two daughters and three sons. Ora, who re­sides in Squaw Township, became the wife of John Thompson, by whom she has two sons and three daughters. Almo is on the home farm in Liberty Township. William, who follows farming in Liberty Township, married Miss Frances Otts, by whom he has one son. Merl wedded Doc Chumbley in 1908. Grace is a milliner at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Gail married Carrie Colt­rane and they have one son. Glenn, Stella and Verna are still under the parental roof. All of the children were born on the home farm on section 7, Liberty Township.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hess has given stalwart support to the men and measures of the Republican Party and has served in various Township offices. Fraternally he is connected with Senna Lodge, No. 344, A. F. & A. M., of Liberty Center, and still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, being identified with the post at Indianola. His wife is a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Church and, like her hus­band, is held in warm esteem and regard throughout the entire community. For forty years Mr. Hess has now been identified with the agricultural interests of this county and his business methods have ever been such as have won for him the confidence and trust of his associates.