Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 963 - 964

SAMUEL H. HESS. Among the influential and prominent citizens of Sedgwick County, who are indebted for their present prosperous condition to their own industry and energy, and who have raised themselves in the world from a state of comparative penury to that of ease and comfort, is the gentleman of whom this history is written. He is engaged in farming in a general way, with the attendant stock-raising, on section 32, Delano Township, where he has a fine home. He is a son of David M. and Nancy (McCown) Hess, and was born in Warren County, Ky., July 30, 1828. When he was but six months old his father removed with his family to Vigo County, Ind., where he pre-empted a tract of land, and entering upon its cultivation opened up a farm, on which he made his home until the day of his death, which took place in August, 1866.

            In his boyhood our subject received such education as the common schools of that time and locality afforded, which was supplemented by about one year's attendance at Asbury University. He remained at home upon his father's farm, and there received the training which has been so valuable to him in the vocation in which he is now engaged. On reaching maturity he removed to Montgomery County, Ill., where he was engaged in agriculture, working for an aunt, with whom he remained about three years. In 1852, like so many other people at that date, he was seized with the gold fever, and made the trip to California by the overland route. Once upon their journey the train with which he was traveling was waylaid and stopped by a band of Indians, but after experiencing considerable danger and many hardships, he arrived in the Golden State, in July, 1852, and at once proceeded to the mines. In the rich placers and river bars, where lay hidden the auriferous dust, he labored some five years with pick, pan and cradle, but with little pecuniary benefit to himself. Provisions bringing such an immense price, almost fabulous at the present time, the instincts of his youth caused him to turn his attention to farming, in which business he achieved much better success. For about five or six years his agricultural venture held his attention, but he finally went into the Territory of Nevada, where for the following two years he was engaged in the wood and timber business. While in this latter place he heard of the death of his father, and returned home, after an absence of nearly fourteen years. On his arrival among the familiar scenes of his childhood he found his pecuniary condition was about the same as it was when he left there.

            Our subject had a little property left him by his father, but through sickness and misfortune he lost it all, and after a few years spent in his Indiana home, he made a trip to this State, in 1870, with the intention of prospecting for a location, and returned home the same fall. Having made up his mind that in Sedgwick County he would find the country he was seeking, in the spring of 1871 he came to Wichita, which was then a mere hamlet, with but a few stockaded houses and one store besides the military post, and he, even in his wildest dreams, could not foresee the brilliant future that awaited this embryo city. He entered into the draying business, however, as settlers began to flock in, which he continued until 1873, when, having accumulated a little capital, and the future looking bright, he returned to Indiana, and was married in Terre Haute, April 14, 1873, to Miss Matilda Dudley, a native of Sullivan County, Ind., born April 11, 1851, and daughter of Robert and Sarah (Barker) Dudley. He at once returned to this county, of which he has remained a resident ever since, and has now a fine farm in excellent cultivation, and upon which he has comfortable and substantial buildings. He is the father of two children: Moses Henry, born Feb. 22, 1874, and Cora S., Aug. 26, 1875. In his politics he is a straight Democrat, and adheres closely to the principles and policy of that party. He has filled the office of Treasurer of the school district in which he lives for a number of years.

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