STERLING R. HESS
Page 478

STERLING R. HESS has resided in Pennsylvania Township, Mason County, since 1863, and has occupied a farm on section 24 since 1873. At the time of purchase it consisted of eighty acres, but the property has since then been doubled in acreage, and its value is also largely increased by the introduction of modern improvements, including a residence that cost $1000, and barn and granaries costing $250. Five acres have been planted to fruit trees, while the remainder of the land is devoted to the pasturage of stock and raising of grain. The father of our subject, John A. Hess, was born in New Jersey in 1810, and in early life followed the trade of a cabinet-maker, later serving for some time as Deputy Sheriff of Mason County, Ill. The paternal grandfather, John Hess, was a native of Germany, while the maternal grandfather, Shadrack Austin, was a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject's mother, Abigail, was born in Luzerne County, Pa., and there died in 1853. Three years afterward Mr. Hess, Sr., came to Illinois and settle in Pennsylvania Township, Mason County, in the spring of 1856. Here he died in December, 1878. He was a man of prominence in the community and held a number of public offices, serving as Constable and Justice of the Peace for many years. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he long served as Deacon. In the family of John A. Hess there were four children, of whom the survivors are: Sterling R. and Elisha O. The latter married Lucy B., daughter of J. C. Temple, and resides in Mason City. The former was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in March, 1836, and with the exception of two years, from five to seven, spent with his grandfather, remained beneath the parental roof until he was nineteen. He then was employed for one year on a canal boat, after which in 1856 he came to Illinois and settled in Mason County, For three years he worked on a farm belonging to Mr. Griffith, of Allen's Grove Township, where he raised a crop of corn and sold it in the field. He also operated a threshing machine. January 1, 1861, Mr. Hess married Miss Phoebe, daughter of J. C. Temple, who was born at Heath, Mass., March 6, 1816, and was in early life a farmer. In 1856 he came to Illinois, whence in 1866 he went to Minnesota and practiced medicine until his death, in 1884. He wife, Lucy, was born April 10, 1813, and died January 30, 1891. Being a daughter of Leonard and Phoebe Eddy, natives of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hess was Asa Temple. Of Massachusetts, who was born December 4, 1789, and died in New York at an advanced age. Mrs. Hess was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in September, 1841, and received a good education in the schools of that state. After marriage Mr. Hess rented a farm in Allen's Grove Township, which he cultivated until 1863. He then bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Pennsylvania Township, and in the fall of 1873 purchased eighty acres comprising a portion of his present estate. Of his marriage there have been born nine children, of whom the survivors are: Charles O., of Pennsylvania Township, who married Mollie Benscoter and has one child; Fred R., a student in the commercial department of the college at Beatrice, Neb.; Flora B., who is married and lives in this county, Ralph C. and Roy S. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Hess has served as Supervisor for two terms, Road Commissioner for three years and has occupied other positions of trust. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Mutual Aid and the Grange. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church of Mason City, and both are attendants at the Union Sunday-school in this township.

1894 Biography Index

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