A Miami County Newspaper
September 3, 1929

MR. O. W. HESS

Orist W. Hess was born on the old Coppock Mill farm, near Pleasant Hill, Ohio, Dec. 10, 1877. He was the fifth child, born 
to Uriah and Armina Hess. As the sun was sinking below the horizon of Lake Whitefish in Northwestern Minnesota, where he 
with two other companions were fishing, he suffered a heart attack and fell from the boat, departing from this life for a 
home in the Great Beyond, August 26, 1929, at the age of 51 years, 8 months and 16 days.

Almost his entire life was spent in this community near Pleasant Hill. On November 28, 1897, he was united in marriage with 
Lydia Jane Thomspon, to which union were given ten children-Mrs. Margaret Petering of Brookville, Herberta of Kessler, John 
and Jacob of Pleasant Hill and four daughters at home-Zelma, Frances, Isobel and Jean. Two daughters, Helen and Elizabeth, 
died in infancy.

At the age of nineteen while yet in young manhood, he united with the Ludlow Falls Christian Church. Church, in which he was 
an active and faithful member both in the church and Sunday School. He was also a trustee of the church there. He was a 
member and Past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pleasant Hill; also a member of the Masonic Lodge of 
the same place.

Mr. Hess was a widely known and highly respected citizen of the community in which he resided, both from his civic services 
and business associations with his fellow men. He served on the Newton Board of Education for four years, the last three of 
which he acted as President of the Board, which office he held at the time of his death. During those years of service he 
was interested in and stood for all that meant the promotion and betterment of the school system and public education of his 
community. He was also an active participant in the P.T.A.

Again in his business career, his work was one of service. He was a farmer but the occupation of greatest interest to him 
was in that capacity wherein he served the community as thresher and with the saw mill. Those very essential 
qualities-fairness and honesty-may be attributed to him by all those with whom he dealt.

He was a man of great ambition, untiring energy, combined with strong convictions and noble character. He was by nature 
friendly, jovial and unselfish, always ready to lend a helping hand to a fellow man if in need.

To him may be truly rendered the tribute of being a devoted husband, a loving father, ever looking after the welfare of his 
family.

Besides his devoted wife and children already mentioned he left to mourn their loss, three daughter-in-laws, one son-in-law, 
nine grandchildren, for sisters, Mrs. Mae Norris of Jackson Center, Mrs. Ethel Hoke of Dayton, Mrs. Emma Falknor of Ludlow 
Falls, Mrs. Ethel McClure of Alcony, and three brothers-James E. Hess of Piqua, William J. Hess of Covington, and Frank Hess 
of Pleasant Hill, also a great many relatives and friends.

Funeral service were held at the Christian Church of Pleasant Hill at 2 P. M. Saturday, August 31, 1929. The Rev. O. P. 
Furnas preached the sermon. The Masonic Order conducted the burial service at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Return to Main Page