William Hess was born in Ohio in 1813. He may be related to or may be the William Hess mentioned in “The History of Darke County, Ohio.” There were two Hess men, William and John, who are listed as early settlers of Franklin Township, Darke County, Ohio. “William Hess, in 1829 or 1830, opened a little stock of goods and groceries, consisting principally of whisky and tobacco, these being disposed of to the settlers; there was received in exchange staves, hoop poles, skins and pelts.”
William and Catherine have a 1850 Ohio census enumeration in Darke County, Franklin Township, Ohio where William is listed as engaged in farming. The family is not part of the 1860 Darke County census record. Either William died or the family removed to an unknown township or state. To date, only their son, Lewis Hess, has been traced.
Known children of William and Catherine Hess:
LEWIS HESS born June 1831 in Darke County, Ohio died after 1900 married CATHERINE MUCK on April 2, 1854 in Darke County, Ohio.
Special thanks to Betty Smith Bowman for sharing all of her Hess research.
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