David Hess

    David Hess, one of the active and enterprising pioneers of Blackford County, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1819, a son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Daniels) Hess. They were married February 16, 1815, in Pennsylvania, and lived in that State until their death. David was reared in his native State, in Fulton County, near McConnellsburg, where he followed agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the subscription schools of that early day.

    He was united in marriage, December 28, 1843, to Miss Mary Morton, of Fulton County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William and Mary (Baily) Morton, who were natives of Fulton County, and of Irish ancestry. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hess, of whom only four are living -Martha, John, Mary and Alvira. One son, George W., was a member of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and died in the service of his country at Nashville, Tennessee.

    In 1848 Mr. Hess came with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, making the journey by team, and settled on wild land in Harrison Township, on which no improvements had been made, except a small piece of the land having been deadened. He has now 160 acres of land which he has cleared and brought under a fine state of cultivation, a comfortable and commodious residence and good barn and other farm buildings, and everything about the place shows the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer.

    He is a man of genial disposition and cordial manners, and is fair and honorable in all his dealings, and is one of the respected citizens of Harrison Township. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the Disciple Church.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.