JOHN HESS, farmer, P. O. Anna, was born in Union County, Ill., near his present residence, November 21, 1821. His father, Joseph Hess, was among the first settlers of the county; he was born in Rowan County, N. C, in 1800, and came to Union County, Ill., in 1818, where he entered eighty acres of land, and later eighty acres additional. He is now residing near our subject, enjoying in his latter years, a life of ease and influence. He is a son of John Hess, a native of North Carolina, became to Union County with Joseph in 1818, and lived but a few years afterward. He was of German descent. Mary (Hartline) Hess (subject's mother) was born in Rowan County, N. C, in 1798, and is still living. She is the mother of the following children: John, Mrs. Rendleman, Silas, Elijah, Isaac J. and Nancy. Our subject spent his early life at home assisting till the soil of his father's farm and receiving a limited education in the subscription schools common in his day. At twenty-three years of age, left his home and embarked on life's rugged pathway as a farmer. He commenced on a forty acre farm and has added to it since, and now is the owner of 265 acres. In 1844, he married Miss Soloma Craver, a native of North Carolina, born August 16, 1824. They are the parents of the following children, James C, Emaline M., wife of Jerry Boyds; Malinda, wife of Thomas Manees; Soloma M., wife of John Hileman; John, Allen V., Dennis and Mollie at home.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 70.
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