THE CHOIR CLUB
FREDERICK M. HESS
The Grace Church Choir Social and Literary Club was organized November 20, 1905, which was shortly after the Guild Hall was presented to the parish. It was disbanded in December, 1905, and the funds on had at that time turned over to the Jubilee Fund.
Only members of the Grace Church Choir were eligible to membership, and at the time the club was organized, the entire choir was enrolled as charter members. The objects of the club were to hold the interest of the boys who were not able to be active in the choir while their voices were changing, to provide a place where the boys could congregate and play games, and to make available books and periodicals that would be of interest to boys. Also, at the regular meetings which were held every two weeks, programs were arranged which consisted of debates, or the reading of a book.
The dues were fifteen cents per month which provided the funds for the purchase of periodicals, fuel and light. A library of fair proportions was soon built up by contributions of books from the members of the club, St. Margaret’s Guild, and members and friend of the parish. A free use was made of the books and magazines, and the librarian was probably the busiest officer of the club. If a book was kept longer than one week, a fine of one cent per week was imposed.
From time to time parties were given by the club to which girls and older members of the parish were invited. These always proved to be very successful affairs.
That the club was thoroughly enjoyed by it members is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that at various times notice was served by the neighbors that less noise would be necessary or they would have to take some action. On of these neighbors was none other than our well loved rector, Mr. Tyler.
Another donation to the club was a baseball outfit consisting of suits, etc., by Mr. Silas W. Gardiner.
The Grace Church Choir was made up of as fine a group of boys as could be found anywhere, and it is the testimony of a number of them that the club served a very useful purpose during the years of its existence, and helped to mould the character of its members and build them into the sterling men that they have become.
Bishop, Calif., 1055. A Hab, 7, 1929.
Arthur Holmes:
First National Bank, Clinton, Iowa.
Fred passed away seven A. M. Burial Oakland, Wednesday.
E. A. HESS. 145P
F.M. HESS, VALUED CITIZEN, HAS GONE
Fred M. Hess passed away in Piedmont, near Oakland, Monday morning. Illness of more than a year had brought anticipation the he could not recover. But his loss, nevertheless, causes the deepest regret and sorrow among his wide acquaintanceship.
Frederick Mortimor Hess was born in Delmar, Iowa, November 30, 1881. After completing the lower schools in his home town, the family moved to Clinton, Iowa, where Fred was graduated from the Lyons High School in the Class of 1898.
Looking to the west for his occupation, he came here about 1905, and under the name in Inyo Telephone Company constructed the first telephone exchange and system in the county. He operated that system until 1912, when it was sold to the Nevada Power interests and became the Interstate Telegraph Company. Mr. Hess remained with the company in a supervisory capacity for several years, and on finally quitting it joined with his brother, A. W. Hess, in establishing the enterprise, now the Hess Lumber Company, in which his interest continued during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Hess was a man of high character in every respect. He took an active Interest in the welfare of the community, serving it for repeated terms as Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and for a term as president of that Body. He was also a member of the City Council, and acting Mayor, resigning because because of ill health. He was a Past Master in Winnedumah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., a thirty-second degree Mason, and a Shriner. He was married December 1, 1916, to Miss Mary Lee, of Berkeley, who, with their son Hamilton, aged about 4, survives him. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Hessm and brother, Arthur W. Hess, are residents here. A sister Mrs. John W. Addie, is in Armour, South Dakota.
Mr. Hess was a man the community is the better for having had as a Citizen, and who could ill be spared from its affairs. Many friends will miss him, and join in sincere condolence to the bereaved family and relatives.
The funeral occurred in Oakland yesterday afternoon.
Bishop, CA Paper
415 Moraga Ave.,
Piedmont, Calif.
Jan. 4, 1929.
Mr. A. L. Holmes.
First National Bank of Lyons,
Clinton, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Holmes:
I regret exceedingly the delay in sending the enclosed article to you. Fred Has been very miserable since the first of October, and was not fit to finish it as he wanted to. He is now very ill and has been since December fourteenth.
Upon receiving your letter of December thirtieth this morning, I hunted through his papers, and found a rough draft of the report on the Boys’ Club, which was your first request. This I have merely typed as it is and have not edited. You may wish to change it in places, or you may have other material that will suit you better. Fred was so ill when you letter of the twelfth arrived, that he was unable to even contemplate writing an article on Miss Rand. In my anxiety over him I failed to write you and I apologize, He is in no condition now to hear letters, so am sending the article without mentioning it to him. I hope it will be satisfactory and am so sorry he cannot write the other for you. I wish you all success in your undertaking.
Thank you for your friendly greeting to us at Christmas time.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) MARY L. HESS.
The above letter was received Tuesday morning, January 8, 1929.