The 1880 United States census showed Henry Hess (age 19, born in Minnesota, brick maker) living in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Henry Hess has bought, of the Kruegel estate, the brickyard property, paying $3200 for it. (Unknown St. Cloud newspaper (Times), February 6, 1884)
The 1900 United States census showed Henry Hess (age 38, born in March 1861 in Minnesota, brick maker) married to Barnidena (age 39, born in March 1860 in Minnesota) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children John G. (age 15, born in January 1885 in Minnesota, brickyard laborer), Carrie (age 10, born in March 1890 in Minnesota), Mary (age 7, born in January 1893 in Minnesota), and Werner (age 3, born in March 1897 in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1905 Minnesota census showed Henry Hess (age 44, born in Minnesota, brick maker) married to Bernidena (age 44, born in Minnesota) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children John (age 20, born in Minnesota), Carrie (age 14, born in Minnesota), Mary (age 12, born in Minnesota), and Alma (age 9, born in Minnesota) also lived with couple.
The 1910 United States census showed Henry Hess (age 49, born in Minnesota, brickyard foreman) married to Bernardina (age 50, born in Minnesota) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children Carry (age 20, born in Minnesota), Mary (age 17, born in Minnesota), and Alma (age 13, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
Page 793. Henry Hess, of the firm of Hess & Son, brickmakers, township of St. Cloud, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, March 1, 1861, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Scharer) Hess. Peter Hess was born in Prussia, and upon coming to America, located in Burlington, Wisconsin, settling in Carver county, Minnesota, about 1855. In 1865 he moved to St. Paul where he died three weeks
Page 794. Later. Henry Hess was taken to St. Paul as a child, and he supported the family by blacking shoes and selling papers after the death of his father. The family moved back to Carver county in 1872. Mr. Hess learned the trade of brick making, worked in his native county for a while, and in 1877 went to Brainerd, Minn., where he worked at his trade, finally taking charge of a yard. In 1881 he conducted a yard at Moorhead, Minn. In 1882 he came to St. Cloud, and after working a month for William Kreugel, he formed a partnership with Michael Bandel. Later Mr. Bandel sold his interests to John Moog. In 1906, Mr. Moog retired from the business, and Mr. Hess’ son, John J., was received as a partner. The concern has a large trade, employs a large number of men, and ships extensively to western points. The company has also furnished brick for some of the best blocks that have been erected in Minneapolis in the past few years. Aside from the brick business they own and operate a large farm of 271 acres on quite an extensive scale. Henry Hess is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has done good service as a member of the board of supervisors of St. Cloud township as well as director of the school board of District No. 3. Mr. Hess’s mother died at Gray Eagle, Minn., about ten years ago. On April 3, 1883, Henry Hess married Berdina Laudenbach, a native of St. Cloud township. They have four children: John J., Carrie, Mary and Alma. John J., who is his father’s partner, is one of the rising young men of the township. He married Adeline Neiser, and has four children. He is at present clerk of St. Cloud township. (History of Stearns County Minnesota, Volume 2, William Bell Mitchell, H. S. Cooper Publishers, Chicago, 1915)
The 1920 United States census showed Henry F. Hess (age 58, born in Minnesota, farmer) married to Bernedina (age 55, born in Minnesota) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children Carrie (age 24, born in Minnesota), Mary (age 20, born in Minnesota), and Alma (age 18, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1930 United States census showed Henry F. Hess (age 69, born in Minnesota, brickyard owner) married to Bernedina (age 69, born in Minnesota) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children Carrie M. (age 40, born in Minnesota) and Alma M. (age 32, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
HENRY HESS, 70, DIES HERE TODAY. Resident of County Since 1881 - Operated Brick Yard on Route 3. Henry Hess, senior member of the firm Henry Hess and Son, brickmakers, R. F. D. 3, died at four o’clock this morning (October 7, 1931). He had been ailing for two years, seriously ill for two weeks. The funeral will be held at St. Mary’s church, the time awaiting relatives in Oregon. Mr. Hess was born in Carver county, Minnesota on March 1, 1861. He came to Stearns county in 1881, settling on Route 3. He married Miss Bernadine Laudenbach of St. Augusta who died in April 1930. Surviving is one son, J. J. Hess, three daughters: Caroline and Alma Hess at home and Mrs. Mary Mauer, Fruitville. There are eight grandchildren, Mr. Hess also leaves two sisters. He was a member of the Woodmen lodge. (Unknown St. Cloud newspaper, October 7, 1931, Page 4)
A FINE CITIZEN. The death of Henry Hess, one of the pioneers of this section and who was one of the leading manufacturers of brick, was a loss to the community. He was a man of sterling integrity, loyal to his friends, and to the country, and put honesty into his bricks, that are part of many buildings of the city and state. He contributed to the growth of the city and county, and by his good will won and held the friendship of a large circle of friends. The sincere sympathy of all citizens go to his bereaved ones, who may take comfort in his years of his usefulness. (Unknown St. Cloud newspaper, October 9, 1931)
Pallbearers Named For Hess Funeral. Pallbearers for the Henry Hess funeral Saturday morning at 10 o’clock at St. Mary’s church will be Ambrose Wahl, Edwart Hirt, Math Hall, A. A. Eich, Frank Thielman, Otto Metzroth. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery. (Unknown St. Cloud newspaper, October 9, 1931)