Jacob C. Hess

    Jacob C. Hess, deceased, was born in Wells County, near Ossian, March 7, 1840, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Covault) Hess, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Bedford County. They were married in their native State, and in an early day removed to Wells County, Indiana, when the surrounding country was a wilderness. White settlers were few at that time, Indians being the principal inhabitants of the county, and the cabin of the Hess family was visited almost every day by Indians. The father died in Wells County about six months after the birth of our subject, and shortly after the mother and family returned to Pennsylvania.

    When our subject was three years of age the family returned to Indiana, and located in Licking Township, Blackford County, on land on which not a stick had been cut but what had been cut down to put up a log cabin. The mother is still a resident of Blackford County, living not far from Dunkirk.

    Jacob C. Hess, the subject of this sketch, was raised from his third year in Blackford County, making his home on the land on which his mother first located in Licking Township, until his marriage, when he removed to the place in Licking Township, which is still occupied by his widow.

    Mr. Hess was married October 21, 1866, to Miss Nancy E. Moore, born near New Cumberland, Grant County, a daughter of Henry and Maria (Atkinson) Moore. Four children were born to this union, all of whom are living -Elmira, wife of G. J. Patton; Burt, William L. and Callie Gertrude.

    Mr. Hess was a man mush respected by all who knew him, and his death which occurred March 10, 1883, was a source of universal regret throughout the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which his widow still belongs. In politics he was first a Republican, but later affiliated with the National party. He always took a deep interest in public affairs, but was not an office seeker, and although once elected to the office of constable he declined to serve.

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