John F. Hess - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Born in Stark County, Ohio, to Christian and Barbara Hess, John F. Hess was the second oldest son, born in 1841.  
By the census of 1850, the Hess family was already living in Defiance, where they remained.  

In the Federal Census of 1860, John, at 19, was enumerated with his parents and five of his siblings.  His father worked as a shoemaker, brother George as a grocer and brother  Charles as a clerk, but John, himself, was not employed.  In 1861, his father died, leaving Barbara Hess with three young children.

On September 5, 1862, John enlisted in Company G, 38th Ohio Infantry.  He served almost three years in the same regiment, discharged on July 12, 1865.

After the war, he married Hannah Kittery of Henry County, Ohio, in either 1866 or 1867 (sources vary).  The couple settled in Defiance and in 1870, they lived next door to John's brother, George Hess and wife, Frances.  John worked as a laborer in the stave factory.

By 1880, they resided on Jefferson Street where they remained until their deaths.  John and Hannah (Johanna) never had children.  In February 1908, Johanna died at the age of 59.

In the 1910 census, John, 68, head of the household, had with him John H. Moran, 53, and his wife, Rosalie B., 49.  John Hess was retired, but John Moran worked on the railroad.  Moran had been married before, but he and Rosalie had only been married six months, her first marriage.

John F. Hess died on January 2, 1916, in Defiance at the age of 74.  He was buried with his wife in Riverside Cemetery.

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)