My Genealogy Hound

HON. JEREMIAH S. HESS is one of the leaders of the Democracy in Northampton County, his home being in Lower Saucon Township. For the past thirty years, or since the McClellan campaign of 1864, he has been noted as a public speaker and representative man in political affairs. In 1889-90 he was Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and has frequently been sent as a delegate to state conventions. In 1882 he was a candidate for the office of State Senator, and was elected, serving from that year until 1886, and during this time making a good record for himself and constituents.

Hon. Mr. Hess was born December 3, 1843, in Hellertown, this county, his parents being Rev. Samuel and Lucetta (Klein) Hess. His great-grandfather, Nicholas Hess, was a native of Zweibrucken, Germany, who settled in Springfield, Bucks County, in 1723, and devoted himself to agriculture. The grandfather, George Hess, removed to Iron Hill, Northampton County, about 1800, and here followed milling. He had a family of six sons and two daughters, and one of the number, George, was a Captain in the War of 1812. Samuel Hess was educated privately, and had as his tutor the celebrated Rev. J. C. Becker, D. D. He was ordained as a minister of the German Reformed Church at York about 1828. His wife, who was the mother of two children, our subject and Milton J., died December 15, 1893. The father, who was born on Christmas Day, 1804, departed this life November 24, 1875.

Our subject was prepared for college at Niskey Hill Academy, of Bethlehem, and Allentown Seminary. In 1859 he entered Franklin and Marshall College in the Sophomore year, and was graduated in 1862 from a classical course, receiving the Master’s degree in 1865. From 1862 to 1864 he was the principal teacher in Allentown Seminary. In the latter year he became a student in the theological seminary at Mercersburg, Pa., where he continued for a year. The next two years it was his privilege to pursue higher studies in the universities of Berlin, Bonn and Tubingen. Upon his return to the United States, in 1867, and owing to the many years of uninterrupted study his health failed, and it became evident that in future his life must be more active and his pursuits carried on in the open air. This was a great disappointment and trial to him, but he bravely accepted the inevitable, and from 1867 up to the present time has been engaged in the lumber business. He has frequently had overtures to take the chair of Ancient Languages and others in Heidelberg College, of Tiffin, Ohio, and Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster, Pa.

June 17, 1875, Mr. Hess married Miss Tillie, daughter of Moses Heminger, of Hellertown. Of their union four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born, and their names in the order of birth are as follows: Herbert, Clara, Mary and Samuel. The family are members of the Reformed Church, and for over a quarter of a century Mr. Hess has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school.

During his term in the Senate Mr. Hess was largely interested in the forestry movement, which has since culminated in a very practical manner. He was also a member of the Educational and Special Judiciary Committees. So well did he serve the interests of his party, friends and neighbors that they expressed their desire to return him to the legislative body. He was a candidate for Congress from the Eighth District, which comprises Carbon, Monroe, Northampton and Pike Counties, but was defeated at the primaries.

In every movement which has for its object the betterment of this section of the country Mr. Hess has shown great zeal, and is truly public-spirited. Personally he is a gentleman of marked intelligence on general and civic issues, and is undoubtedly one of the leading representatives of his party in eastern Pennsylvania. In 1890 he joined the Pennsylvania German Society, organized that year for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the public the early history of the Pennsylvania Germans. As a business man Mr. Hess has been very successful, is a member of the firm of Jeremiah S. Hess & Bro., dealers in coal and lumber and operators of a planing-mill, giving employment to about twenty men. Socially he is a member of Hellertown Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M.; Zinzendorf Chapter No. 316, R. A. M., of Bethlehem, and Hugh De Payen Commandery, K. T., of Easton. He is Past Master of Hellertown Lodge, and Past High Priest of the chapter.