John J. Hess was born January 5, 1885, in Minnesota.

The 1900 United States census showed John G. Hess (age 15, born in January 1885 in Minnesota, brickyard laborer) living with his parents Henry (age 38, born in March 1861 in Minnesota, brick maker) and Barnidena (age 39, born in March 1860 in Minnesota) in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. His other siblings were 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).

John J. Hess was married to Adeline C. Neeser about 1908.

The 1910 United States census showed John Hess (age 25, born in Minnesota, brickyard laborer) married to Adeline (age 20, born in Wisconsin) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children Norbert (age 1, born in Minnesota) and Victor (age 1 month, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1920 United States census showed John J. Hess (age 35, born in Minnesota, brick maker) married to Adaline (age 29, born in Wisconsin) and living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children Norbert (age 11, born in Minnesota), Victor (age 9, born in Minnesota), Agnes (age 8, born in Minnesota), Delphine (age 6, born in Minnesota), Emanuel (age 4, born in Minnesota), and Erwin (age 3, born in Minnesota), and Vera (age 1, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1930 United States census showed John J. Hess (age 45, born in Minnesota, brick maker) living in St. Cloud Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Children Nesbet (age 21, born in Minnesota), Victor J. (age 20, born in Minnesota), Agness G. (age 18, born in Minnesota), Delphine K. (age 16, born in Minnesota), Emil J. (age 14, born in Minnesota), Ervin P. (age 13, born in Minnesota), Fronica C. (age 11, born in Minnesota) also lived with John.

John J. Hess died on April 14, 1968, in Stearns County, Minnesota.