Among the large landowners and extensive farmers and stockmen of Pike County, William Hess is a conspicuous figure, and he likewise is familiarly connected with the political affairs of the county. He is one of those shrewd, enterprising and capable men who acquire property where many would fail, and who are always found to be manifesting an interest in that which concerns the welfare of the people at large. He is the fortunate possessor of eight hundred and eighty acres of land in Montezuma and Pearl Townships, together with sixteen hundred and eighty acres in Texas, all of which has been acquired by his personal efforts and financial ability. His beautiful home is on section 19, Montezuma Township, and is one of which any man may well be proud, including as it does everything necessary and convenient for the use of the family and the proper conduct of the business that is carried on. The residence, which was built in 1877 at a cost of $5,000 has an attractive exterior, while the interior bears evidence of the good taste and refinement of those who have had it in charge.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania and followed the occupation of a farmer and millwright. His son, David Hess, was born in the Keystone State in 1809, and took his place among the early settlers of Illinois, coming here in 1825. His first home was made in Greene County, whence he came to Pike County in 1836, locating in Pearl Township, where he resided during the balance of his life. In this State he married Ann Wheeler, an estimable woman who was born in Ohio in 1802. Mr. Hess breathed his last December 22, 1880, and Mrs. Hess March 11, 1876. Their family consisted of six children, of whom but two now survive---our subject and Andrew N.

The eyes of William Hess opened to the light in Greene county, November 18, 1830, and he received his education in the common schools of Pike County, whither he was brought in childhood. When eighteen years of age he left the shelter of the parental roof and made the trip across the plains to California, consuming one hundred and five days in tedious and hazardous travel. He had been attracted to the coast by the discovery of gold, and like thousands of others devoted himself earnestly to a search for the precious metal. Until November 1853, he was engaged in mining in the Golden State, being fairly successful in his enterprises. During that time he aided in bringing California into the Union as a free State, voting the anti-slavery ticket.

Mr. Hess left San Francisco on the 15th of November 1853 on a vessel, sailed to Panama, and after traversing the Isthmus crossed the Gulf to New Orleans, whence he traveled northward to his home via the river route. Upon reaching his native State he engaged in buying the selling stock and spent some time as a school teacher. Ere long Mr. Hess won a companion and established a home of his own on section 21, of the township where he is now living. He remained there a few years after he had met with the loss of his wife, then established a new home where he is now living. As he has been prospered he has made a wise investment of the funds at his command, and so year by year has added to his landed estate and surrounded his family with more and more of the comforts and luxuries of life. He carries on his large estate in this county and ships numbers of cattle and hogs.

Mr. Hess was married October 18, 1855, to Miss Margaret C. Wagner, whose father, Jacob Wagner, was a pioneer of Greene County, and later of Pike County, he being both a farmer and physician. Mrs. Hess was born in Greene County in 1839, received a common school education and acquired other attainments which were useful in her later years. She passed away October 27, 1857, leaving a son, Jacob D. Hess, who is now living in Pittsfield. He is an attorney-at-law, and married Clara A. Rentchler, of St. Clair County, Ill., by whom he has two children.

December 18, 1862, Mr. Hess contracted a second matrimonial allliance, having won for his wife Miss Nancy M. Smith, whose father, Constantine Smith, was born in Ohio and came to Pike county in an early day. Mrs. Hess was born here May 24, 1842, receiving a good education and excellent home training, by which she was fitted for the duties which lay before her as wife and mother. She breather her last January 3, 1889, her dying hours being cheered by a Christian's hope. She belonged to the Christian Church, was an earnest worker in that body, and with her husband's aid and counsel endeavored to instill right principales into the minds of their offspring. She was mother of the following children---Sarah Ann, Luther C., William H., Eva, Ada B., Ruth B., Verdie J., and Leroy. Sarah is now the wife of William L. Coley, and the mother of one child. They live under the parental roof, her position being that of housekeeper in the home from which her mother was so recently removed. Willliam H. married Ida Hankins and also lives in Montezuma Township. Luther C. expects to be graduated from Illinois College in Jacksonville in 1891. The first born of our subject, Jacob has a diploma from that institution.

Mr. Hess belongs to the Christian Church and is a member of the Masonic order in Milton. He has held the position of School Director for many years and was elected Supervisor of Montezuma Township in the spring of 1890. As has been indicated, he has born an active part in local politics, and his connection with politics has extended beyond his township and county. When he first became a voter, he was a Democrat, following the lead of Senator Douglas, but some years later he was identified with the Greenback party and still more recently has been a Union Labor man. He was a delegate to the National Greenback Convention held in Indianapolis, which placed B. F. Butler at the head of the ticket, and was present in Chicago when J. B. Weaver, of Iowa, was nominated for President of the United States. In 1887 he attended the Labor Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, which formed the Union Labor party and in 1888 he attended the convention in the ssame city which nominated A. J. Streator of Illinois as the standard-bearer of the party. He is one of the State organizers for the Famers' Alliance and Industrial Union, and believes that the farmers are being robbed by legalized monopolies and trusts, which first rob the producer and then turn and fleece the consumer."

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, January 1891 pg 550

Wm. Hess, farmer and stock-raiser, is the son of David and Ann (Wheeler) Hess, natives of Ohio, who emigrated to this State at an early day and settled in Pearl tp., Pike Co., in 1836, where he still resides. Mrs. H. died in 1877. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene Co., Ill., in 1830. He was married Oct. 18, 1855, to Miss Margaret C. Wagner, who died, leaving him one child, J. D. His present wife, Nancy C., nee Smith, is a native of Pike Co. To them have been born 6 children, - Sarah A., L. C., Wm. H., Eva R. B., Ada B., and Ruthy B. He settled on his present place in 1862, the homestead land consisting of 240 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He has also land on secs. 20, 21, 32, and 16, amounting to nearly 800 acres, making him the largest landholder in the tp.

Source: History of Pike County by Charles M. CHapman 1880