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The Hissem-Montague Family  |
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The Hissem-Montague Family |
Also as Hesson, Hissam, Hissom, Hisam, Hisom, Heisam and Hesham. David, the son of John and Mary Hessom [or Hissom], was born in about 1809, in either Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, where his purported father lived in 1800, or in Pitt township, Allegheny county, where his father lived in 1810. The International Genealogical Index gives David's birth as "about 1807, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania." I tie David to John Hessom through the Hessom surname, an exceedingly uncommon one, and his residence in Lawrenceville, where John lived from 1810 until his death in 1834.
| Isaac Hesson
The modern members of the Hessom family of America believe they are descended from David Hessom, of Lawrenceville, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He was purportedly the son of Isaac, a German emigrant who first showed up in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania in 1815.
I agree that David was an ancestor of this family, but I propose that he was the son, not of Isaac, a German emigrant surnamed Hesson, but of John Hissom, the eldest son of Thomas Hesom and his Dutch wife, Catherina Kleyn. I base this supposition on several things, none of which is, of course, conclusive.
Also as Hesen and Hisen. The researcher at Fair Kingdom says that Isaac came to Allegheny county, in southwestern Pennsylvania, in about 1815, "probably from Germany," and settled in Moon township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Based on the 1810 census, I'd say more like 1809 to give him a chance to find the wife cited in that document. |
| Moon Township
"Moon Township has evolved significantly since its beginnings as a farm-based community. As the oldest township in Allegheny County, founded in 1788, Moon Township had a total area of 143 square miles. Some reports indicate that it would take one man on horseback two days to travel from one end of the community to the other. This geographically large township eventually spawned into 55 smaller municipalities, including the current neighboring townships of Fayette, Findlay, Crescent and the borough of Coraopolis. "In its early days, settlers in Moon Township depended heavily on the hunting and farming economy for survival. The excess of farm production at the end of the 18th century brought about a need for industries such as gristmill, sawmill and fulling mill. By 1803, the Industrial Revolution had arrived in Moon Township. The Township continued to experience significant economic growth into the 20th century when roadways and railroads opened up the gates to Moon, making it an attractive place for people to settle and raise their families. Both the Sewickley Bridge, which was originally constructed in 1911, and the Pennsylvania & Lake Erie Railroad contributed significantly to Moon Township's tremendous population growth." - from the town's website. |
| Isaac Hesson, cont.
In the 1810 census of Moon township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania there is an Isaac Hisen - could this be our man? In the household was 1 man 16 to 25 years old [1785-1794], one woman of the same age, most likely his wife, and one woman over 45 years old, perhaps a mother-in-law. Just a few entries below that of Isaac is a John Hisen. In his household was a boy under 10, a man 26 to 44 [1766-1785], two girls under ten, and a woman 26 to 44. Who was this, Isaac's father or an older brother? Isaac Hessom was, according to the Fair Kingdom, mentioned in an Allegheny county land sale in 1816. "The first record of the name I have been able to locate is in 1816, in Allegheny Co, PA, when Isaac Hessom purchased a tract of land in Moon Twp. He is found in the same place all the census reports through the time of his death." - from The FairKingdom.comHere is a transcription of the document. Note that the surname is spelled Hisson as well as Hesson. "David Onstot to Isaac HessonI have a David Onstot in the 1820, 1830 and 1850 census of Moon township. In the 1850 census, aged 64, he was living with his wife, Rachel, 58, and daughter, Emma, 17. The Morgans and McCallisters, who you'll read about below, lived "next door." However, I distrust the spelling of this name. The final letter being "n" is always problematic. "Isaac shows up in the 1820, 1830 and 1840 [as Hessan] census in Moon Township, Allegheny Co, PA." - per Kathleen Doutt Ward. In the 1820 census of Moon township, Allegheny county, Pennsylavania as Isaac Hassim [I think. Ancestry.com says only Ha??]. This entry, unfortunately, is at the bottom of the page and has suffered a lot of ink loss. The H is clear. The next letter appears over-written and smudged, an "a" over an "e" perhaps. The next letters could be "ss", as I think, "rr" or even a spiky "m." The next letter is an "i" or an "e", or even both, followed by an "m" or perhaps an "n." In the house were 3 boys under 10 years old, David, John & Henry, one male over 45 years old, Isaac [born no later than 1775], and 2 girls under 10, Elizabeth & Mary. The rest of the entry looks like it has been overlaid by another piece of paper and I cannot read it. David Onstot is on the next page of the census. I don't see Isaac in 1830, despite Kathleen's comment above and I've looked through every entry for Moon township. However, on the same page with David Onstot, Garret Aten, James White, and Cornelius McCallister, Isaac's known neighbors, I have found a Jacob Hasson. Maybe the census worker got the first name wrong. Bob Watson wrote, "I have the 1840 census index and I found Isaac, Henry & James in Moon county." The latter two are Isaac's sons. There is an Isaac Hessan [Ancestry.com says Hesson or Hassan] in the 1840 census for Moon township, Allegheny county. In the household is one boy 10 to 14, a man 20 to 29, and another 50 to 59 [1791-1790], Isaac would have been 55. Women include a young girl 15 to 19, unknown, and a woman 50 to 59. This census doesn't appear to be aligned by "neighborhoods." Isaac is on page one of this census. On page 7 is Henry Hessan, Cornelius McAllister, and James White. On page 11 is James Hessen and David Onstot. Oddly there's also an Isaac Hisson [Hassan in Ancestry.com] in the census for Freedom township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. In the household was a single man, 30 to 39 years old. Beaver county was created in March 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Washington county and was attached to Allegheny county until 1802. It is the next county west of Allegheny, just the other side of Moon township, so the location is good. Kathleen also writes, "I have information on Isaac Hessom's sons David, James and Henry. Have little or no info on Elisabeth and John. Have A lot on David's Sons and on Benjamin Franklin Hessom's Family." I suspect that Kathleen knows about these sons through "the settlement of Isaac's estate" in which all the sons' spouses were also named. In 1848 a boundary dispute was resolved between Isaac Hesson and his neighbor, Cornelius McCallister. "Isaac Hesson & Cornelius McCallister Isaac died in 1849 - per TheFairKingdom.com. Isaac's estate was sold to Robert Armstrong. "Henry [sic] Hesson's heirs to Revd Robt ArmstrongChristiana and Sarah Ann were noted to have made their mark. By implication the others must have signed their names, though this document has the signatures written in the clerk's hand.
Isaac's children, per the above,
I am not happy with this new data. I had hoped to read the original documents about Isaac and find his name spelled Hessom, not Hesson. I have looked at all three documents and they very clearly show an "n." The final "m" in our family's name is important. While I have found the Hissem/Heesom family using a final "n," this has almost always been a transcription error, and while this seems a small thing, I have over the last 15 years or so immersed myself in tracking this name, and despite a wild variety of spellings, a final "n" is almost never, ever used in the family. The name Hesson is, in my opinion, of German derivation, just as some of the early researchers claimed. But, this family does not connect with David, and his son, Benjamin. I now more strongly think that David was a son of John Hessom. I believe the allusion to a David Hesson, the son of Isaac of Moon township, in the land sale above, is fortuitous, and has nothing to do with David Hessom of Pittsburgh. Note that in the data for David and Ben's family, below, the name is always spelled with an "m." |
John Hissom, the son of Thomas Hesom and Catherina Kleyn, was born in 1746 in Northampton county, Pennsylvania and baptized under the surname Hisson; the final 'n' being a transcription error per my reading. He married and had a son, William, before joining the American army in 1776. He served throughout the war in a New York Line Regiment, including at the Battle of Yorktown. In the census of 1790 he was once again living in Northampton county, Pennsylvania using the surname Hysham. By 1800 he had moved to Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania and was in that year's census under the surname of Hissim. Westmoreland is just to the east of Allegheny county.
By 1810 a John Hissem was living in Pitt township, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Lawrenceville, right, was a village in Pitt township and is today a ward of Pittsburgh. In the household was a boy under 10. If the story I will tell is true, that would have been David, who had been born the year before. There was also a girl under 10, perhaps Elizabeth, David's sister. Known as Else, she would have been 3.
| Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania
Allegheny county was created out of portions of Washington and Westmoreland counties in 1788 and by 1800 its current boundaries had been set. Pitt township was the proto-city of Pittsburgh, at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. The town, first known as Pittsborough, grew up around Fort Pitt, a British outpost erected in 1758 during the French & Indian wars.
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In 1818 John Heisam of "the village of Lawrenceville in the Township of Pitt County of Allegheny Penna" requested and received a pension for his military service during the Revolutionary War. David Hessom later lived on Allen street, in Lawrenceville, which is one street west of the eastern edge of town in the map above.
| Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
The Allegheny Arsenal was built there in 1814, during the War of 1812, due to "The area's accessibility to river transportation and its proximity to what was then the nation's only iron producing district." Lawrenceville was incorporated in 1834, and after a brief career of 33 years, it was annexed to the city of Pittsburgh in 1868. A cemetery for the soldiers at the arsenal was founded in 1814 on a 1 1/4 acre tract donated by William Foster. It was overbuilt and the graves moved to a new location in 1881 - see below. The current Allegheny cemetary was opened in 1844 in a different location. |
On 26 June 1820, in furtherance of his request for a pension, John Heisam appeared in court and said:
"I also do declare that my occupation is a laborer, but owing to age, infirmity etc I am unable to pursue it. [Garbled] wife living with me whose name is Mary aged about fifty nine years [1759] who is likewise weak & infirm. Also a son David aged Eleven years & a Daughter Else aged thirteen years & no other family residing with me. And further deponent doth declare [garbled] he is in [garbled] indigient circumstances as to be unable to support myself without the assistance of my [struck out] his country.A John Heisam, or Heisham, of Pittsburgh, was on succeeding Pension rolls for Pennsylvania.
John Heisam X His mark"
In the 1820 census of Pitt township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hissem. In his household was a boy under 10, another 16 to 26 [1794-1804], and a man 45 and over. Our John would have been 74 at this time. David Hessom would have been 11. Considering that John Hissem was illiterate, and his wife most certainly was, I would be willing to believe that the boy under 10 was David, his parents having no record of the actual date.
In 1820 the population of Pittsburgh was over 7,000.
On 31 May 1825 the Marquis de Lafayette visited Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Arsenal. President Monroe had invited Lafayette to visit the nation to commemorate the nation's 50th anniversary. This would have been a huge event in the town, involving parades and parties, and never to be forgotten by the participants.
"It was a mystical experience they would relate to their heirs through generations to come. Lafayette had materialized from a distant age, the last leader and hero at the nation's defining moment. They knew they and the world would never see his kind again." - from UngerAt right is a painting made of the mature Lafayette at the time of his visit. We usually think of Lafayette in his early life, a young man in a powdered wig, but by this time he was a thorough going republican.
If David Hessom became a soldier, by 1825 or 1827 he would have been old enough to enlist. However, the muster rolls for the Allegheny Arsenal, the only military facility in Pittsburgh at this time, did not begin until 1832. Forts Pitt and Fayette had been decommissioned.
In 1828 there were 200 people living in Lawrenceville.
In the 1830 census of Byardstown, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hesham. In the household were a boy, 10 to 14 years old, a man, 20 to 29 [1801-1810], perhaps David Hessom, and another 90 to 99, who, I assume, was John wildly inflating his true age of 84. There were also two girls, 5 to 9, one girl, 10 to 14, a woman, 30 to 39, another, 40 to 49, and one woman, 70 to 79, probably Mary.
Byardstown/Bayardstown, first known as the Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh, is today known as the Strip District, between downtown Pittsurgh and Lawrenceville, on the Allegheny river.
"Northern Liberties was organized and laid out in 1816 and existed until March 1837 when it was annexed by the City of Pittsburgh. It was located on the southern bank of the Allegheny River bounded by Pennsylvania Canal (present Eleventh St.) extended to Grant Blvd. (presently Bigelow) followed eastward to a point midway between 25th and 26th Streets hence along Allegheny westward to Eleventh Street. Later it became popularly known as Bayardstown for George A. Bayard, who owned several substantial tracts of land." - from "Miscellaneous History of Lawrenceville" by Joseph A. BorkowskiIn 1837 the Northern Liberties joined the city as Pittsburgh's Fifth Ward, the first addition to the city's original four wards.
David married Elizabeth Hartman in about 1832, based on the birth of their first child, Ann Eliza, in 1833. Elizabeth had previously been married to a John Baker, a soldier. I suspect that Elizabeth was older than David.
"According to my records, Elizabeth Hartman (there were a lot of Elizabeth Hartmans - a common German name) married a soldier John Baker 29 July 1824. He died and she married another soldier (both men stationed at the garrison in Pittsburgh, PA) David Hessom about a year later. She had 5 children that I know of: Ann Eliza (my ancestor) and her twin George who died at age 18; Benjamin, Charles and Harriet. Elizabeth was proficient at the shoe making trade and came to America with her brother Charles who died on the trip to America. I have all Ann Eliza's info and her descendants, but only birthdates for her siblings. There was always talk in the family that they became big landowners - not in Moon Twp. but in the Highland Park (Pittsburgh, PA) area (what is now Highland Park Zoo etc.) I would love to hear from anyone having more info on the Hessom-Hartman family." - from a post by Martha NealHighland Park is on the Allegheny river, up Butler street, to the east of Lawrenceville. I think this argues against the family living in Moon township.
| The Hartman Family
Three daughters of the Welker-Hartman family of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania married sons of Thomas and David Hissom, John Hessom's brothers. If the Hissoms and Hessoms were related, as I'm sure they were, could this explain the Hartman connection? (22) Rosanna Hartman Welker (1776)She was born on 10 August 1776 in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county. She married Jacob Welker in 1798, in Hempfield township. Jacob was born in 1756, the son of Michael Welker and Anna Maria Reed. The Welker family had come to America from the Palatine, Germany in 1727. Jacob and Rosanna's daughter, Elizabeth, married John Hissem, and their daughter, Mary, married Levi Hissem, both in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county. Jacob also had a half-sister, Mary Welker, the daughter of Michael Welker and Elizabeth Wagoner, who married John and Levi's elder brother, Abner. Jacob died in 1836. Rosana died on 14 November 1867 and was buried in the Feightner cemetery in Hempfield township. |
John Heisham, David's father, "died 3d March 1834. Paid 1st Q'r 1834" according to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Agency's lists of U.S. Pensioners, of 1833-1849. Another source has more information.
"Heisam, John [or Heissam, Heisham, Hessom] 1818David Hessom would have been 25 years old. 1818 refers to the Act of Congress of that year under which John received his pension. I base my believe that David Hessom was the son of John Hessom, not Isaac Hesson, on this document. A confusing aspect is that John Hessom's obituary calls him by the name David, despite getting the date and age correct. Was the newspaper confused because, perhaps, it was his son, David, who provided them with this information?"Pittsburgh, 10 Mar 1834, former pensioner John Hessom died 3 March 1834, widow Mary [x her mark] collected $47.37, children Ellen and David [Hessom]." - from "Selected Final Pension Payment Vouchers 1818-1864, Volume 1" by Kathryn McPherson Gunning
Was David a soldier? Ann Eliza, David's daughter, said that "she and her brother were "born inside the Garrison walls, close by the block house, near old Fort Pitt." That doesn't necessarily mean David was a soldier, but a David Hesham was buried at a cemetary created for the soldiers at the Allegheny Arsenal, see below.
The statement above has some problems. Fort Pitt was abandoned in 1792, having fallen into disrepair, and the land and buildings were sold to local citizens. In 1793 the few soldiers in Pittsburgh were moved to Fort Fayette, a quarter mile up the Allegheny river from the old fort. This fortification was in turn abandoned in 1814 when the Allegheny Arsenal was opened.
So where were Anne Eliza and her brother really born? Had she confused Fort Pitt, Fort Fayette and the Arsenal, which was the only military site in Pittsburgh at the time of her birth? Or was she born in the district in and around the "civilianized" Fort Pitt, many of whose buildings survived through the 1830's, and one of which survives to today? I suspect that David, the son John Hissom, lived in Lawrenceville, as did John, and his children were born in or near the Arsenal, which was located in Lawrenceville.
| Fort Pitt
The star-shape fort was built in 1758 during the French and Indian War, next to the site of Fort Duquesne, which the French had erected in 1754. It was located at the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the Ohio river. The old blockhouse, erected in 1764, still remains, the oldest building in Pittsburgh. The town of Pittsburgh soon grew up around the fort. Below is a map of the city in 1795. The official population at that time was 1,300. The village of Lawrenceville was just northeast of the city, lying on the Allegheny river. Fort FayetteFort Pitt was sold by the government and largely torn down when the threat of Indian attacks resulted in the erection of Fort Fayette on the bank of the Allegheny in 1792. See the square building at the top right hand side of the map below, on Penn street. The small garrison that remained at Fort Pitt, reportedly only a captain and six men, moved to the new quarters. This garrison was soon increased in size and General Anthony Wayne took command. The fort was decommissioned in 1813 and finally taken down in 1815. Interestingly, from 1799 to at least 1801 the commandant of Fort Fayette was a Colonel John Francis Hamtramck. I believe this was the Captain John F. Hamtramck that commanded a company during the Revolution that included David's father, John Hissom. Colonel Hamtramck died in 1803. A sidenote, Captain Meriwether Lewis was stationed at Fort Fayette in 1801 when President Jefferson requested he lead an expedition into the west with Captain William Clark.  The Allegheny Arsenal
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David's daughter, Ann Eliza, claimed that her parents were of German/Dutch ancestry and that they "spoke only German/Dutch." I'm not certain if this was indecision on her part, or if one spoke German and the other Dutch. Certainly Elizabeth Hartman, an emigrant, would have spoken German, but what of David? Note that for two generations John Hissom's family had lived in the Minisink, a largely Dutch community in northeast Pennsylvania. The church they attended, and where John's birth was recorded, was conducted in Dutch. John would have learned the language from his Dutch mother, Catherina Kleyn; it was literally his mother tongue. It was likely that John's wife, Mary, too was Dutch and may have taught her children the language.
Kathleen Doutt Ward wrote,
"David was married in PA, although I have no idea where or when, I can find no church in the area that has records for the Hessom family, can find no record of burials for the early Hessom family. I spent 2 days in Moon Twp, going through records for churches and Twp and had several people there helping me and found only one reference to the Hessom Estate (the Hessom property) in a Moon Twp History book. Elizabeth Heartman was also listed on BF Hessom's Death Certificate as being born in Germany, but I could find no trace of her or her family in Pittsburgh. Of course there must be dozens of Heartmans in the 1850, 1840, and 1830 census, and finding one for her family was an impossible task. She apparently died before 1850 as she is not mentioned in the settlement of Isaac's estate and all the other spouses are mentioned by name."I believe the family in Moon township are Hessons, and not part of the Hessom family.
While David may have been a soldier circa 1833, when his children were "born inside the Garrison walls," he was, by the end of the decade, a baker living in Lawrenceville. Note that while I've found David in the 1839 city directory, he was not shown in the 1837 or 1826 documents, the only earlier directories available online. Similarly, while I have him in the 1841 directory, I don't see David in the 1844 or 1847 directory and, though another researcher says he sees him there, I don't have him in the 1850 directory either.
"He [David Hessom] settled in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania and he ran a grocery store and bakery for a while. He disappears from the records after 1850, before the census is taken and there is no indication of where he went." - from a post at Fair KingdomDavid's bakery was on Allen street, circa 1839.
"Directory of Lawrenceville
. . .
Hissam David, baker, Allen street" - from "Harris' Pittsburgh & Allegheny Directory" of 1839
I suspect that David was not a soldier, simply a man who lived adjacent to the Arsenal who raised a family - the legends grew later.
Kathleen wrote,
"1840 Census, yes he is listed, as David Hissam (I think that is the spelling) in Lawrenceville. He is also listed in the Lawrenceville city directory. He is no where to be found in the 1850 census. I've tried every directory and search available. I've looked for his sons in every possible way also but could not find them. The only mention of him is in the closure of his father's estate in 1850. One of his son's is buried in Allegheny Cemetery in 1852 [George W. Hessom?], so at least part of the family is still around then, but there is no record of them anywhere." - per Kathleen Doutt WardBob Watson wrote back,
"I have the 1840 census index and I found Isaac, Henry & James in Moon county."Finally Kathleen wrote,
"I've looked for David in every state in the Union along with his sons in 1850 and don't find them. Benjamin Franklin and his brother Charles are back in Pittsburgh in 1860 and George is dead in 1852 and buried in Allegheny Cemetery."
In the 1840 census of Peebles township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as David Hessom [as Hesom in Ancestry.com, Hisom in Familysearch.org]. There were six people in the household, 2 boys under 5, Benjamin and Charles, 1 who was 5 to 9, George, and a man 20 to 29, David, who was employed in "Manufacture and Trade;" a good title for a grocer/baker. The note on David's trade was shown on the facing page of the census, not captured below. David would have been about 33 years old. There were also 1 girl 5 to 9, Ann Eliza, and 1 woman 30 to 39, David's wife.
Peebles township included most of what is now the eastern part of the city of Pittsburgh from the Monongahela River in the south (today's Hazelwood) to the Allegheny River in the north. It was subdivided into Collins and Liberty townships. The former included Lawrenceville. The township was incorporated into Pittsburgh in 1868 as the 23rd ward.
David was still in Lawrenceville in 1841, but now shown as a grocer. David may have changed his trade, or perhaps he was simply selling his baked goods retail.
"Directory of Lawrenceville and Vicinity
. . .
Hesson, D, grocer, turnpike." - from "Harris' General Business Directory of the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny" of 1841, pg 148
| The Great Fire of Pittsburgh
The Great Fire of Pittsburgh occurred on April 10, 1845, destroying a third of the city and causing between $6 million and $12 million in damage. By that time its population topped 20,000. "The dawn of April 10, 1845, brought a warm, windy day. During a brief interlude in the winds just before noon, Ann Brooks, who worked on Ferry Street [now Stanwix street, near Fort Pitt] for Colonel William Diehl, left unattended a newly stoked fire lit to heat wash water. A spark from this fire ignited a nearby ice shed or barn. The fire companies responded, but got nothing but "a weak, sickly stream of muddy water" from their hoses, and the flames quickly spread to several buildings owned by Colonel Diehl, including his home, and to the Globe Cotton Factory. The bells of the Third Presbyterian Church had given the original alarm, but the church itself was only preserved by dropping its burning wooden cornice into the street. Once saved, its stone walls served as a barrier to the further spread of the fire toward the north and west. Then the wind veered to the southeast and gave the fire added vigor; a witness stated that "the roar of the flames was terrific, and their horrible glare, as they leaped through the dense black clouds of smoke, sweeping earth and sky, was appalling."
Although the flames were intense, they moved slowly enough that residents had time to remove themselves and many of their belongings. Some fled to the highlands to the east (the modern Hill District), then undeveloped except for the newly built courthouse, an area which remained untouched by the flames. Of those who fled south to the Monongahela River, some were able to cross the Monongahela Bridge (located at the site of the present Smithfield Street Bridge), which connected the city to the southern bank of the river and was the first of what would be many bridges spanning Pittsburgh's rivers. However, this soon became congested, and then the wood-covered structure ignited, being fully consumed in about 15 minutes and leaving nothing but its supporting pylons. Those counting on riverboats to take their belongings away fared less well because the boats that did not flee burned, leaving the refugees to pile their belongings on the riverbank. Most of this material was burned by the advancing flames, stolen or looted, while the escaping population was typically left with nothing more than they could carry. The docks and warehouses on the waterfront were likewise consumed, and as with the residents, attempts to save materials from the warehouses by bringing them to the riverbank only delayed their destruction. The fire followed the river into Pipetown, an area of workers' housing and factories, again spreading destruction. It only halted when the winds died down about 6:00, and by 7:00 it had fully abated within the city, having burned its way to the river and cooler hills. The factories of Pipetown burned on until about 9:00. Throughout the night, there were occasional flare-ups along with the repeated sounds of buildings collapsing." - from Wikipedia  Apparently it was mainly the city center and the southeast section of the town that were destroyed, probably leaving Lawrenceville unscathed. See The Great Fire of 1845 for more information. |
Another researcher claims to find in an 1850 directory.
"There is a listing in an Old Directory that lists my GGG Grandfather, David Hessom (they spelled it David Hissom). He had a grocery store on the old "Turnpike". This was 1850....no mention after that other than he is on my GG Grandfather's death certificate. I've worked on this (on and off) for about twenty years." - per Joe Hessom.I haven't been able to find this citation in the Fahnestock directory or the Pennsylvania Business directory of 1850. Joe may have been referring to the 1841 directory, above, or has found another directory (or I didn't look closely enough in the first two documents). The turnpike ran through Lawrenceville along Butler road, which paralleled the river. Allen street, where David's bakery was, or had been, located, is a cross street with Butler, just west of the Arsenal.
| The Greensburg and Pittsburgh Turnpike Road
The Forbes and Braddock Roads, linking eastern and western Pennsylvania, had been built as military roads. An 1806 act authorized a new turnpike to be constructed on a new route to meet commercial needs. A turnpike (or pike) is a long pole that straddles the roadway in order to block travelers from gaining access without paying. After fees were collected, the gateman turned the key, lifted one end of the pole, and allowed traffic to enter the turnpike.An 1811 act authorized the commonwealth to provide $300,000 to the company which could raise $150,000 in stock. A competition developed between the southern route, which included the Greensburg and Pittsburgh Pike, and what would become the Northern Turnpike. The rivalry delayed the construction of both, with the Northern Pike opening locally in 1819 -- after the southern route. The section of the southern route known as The Pittsburgh and Greensburg Turnpike was promoted by Westmoreland County Associate Justice Colonel John Irwin. In 1814 the road was opened "past the Colonel's home on Brush Hill Road in Irwin, as well as his brother's house on Verdant Drive" and westward to Turtle Creek. By 1820, the toll road was expanded to reach from Philadelphia, roughly along the line of today's US 30, the Lincoln Highway, to Pittsburgh along Penn Avenue. The turnpike ran through Lawrenceville along Butler road, which parallel's the river, and a tollgate was installed in the village. Hunter's tavern, a conestoga wagon stop on the pike, was one of only two buildings, the other being the Arsenal, that was thought worthy of note in maps of the era. In a court case of 1859, "Here is Butler street, in Lawrenceville, on which (if it be on it now) the old Pittsburgh and Butler pike has an easement; . . . The court adjudges for the use of the Citizens' Passenger Railway, for the purpose of its road, sixteen feet in width on the Greensburg and Pittsburgh turnpike road, beginning at Clymer street, and running thence along said turnpike to Bulter street, in the borough of Lawrenceville, a distance of twenty-five hundred and eighty feet, or thereabouts." - from"Pittsburgh Report: Containing Cases Decided by the Federal and State Courts"With the birth of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1852, the turnpike became obsolete. |
David Hessom is not found in the records after this.
"He [David Hessom] disappears from the records after 1850, before the census is taken and there is no indication of where he went." - from a post at Fair KingdomNote that in addition to the Great Fire of 1845 and seasonal floods, Pittsburgh was subject to seven cholera epidemics between 1832 and 1855. David could have succumbed to any of these events.
I have an Ellen Neeson who died on 21 September 1854 and was buried in the Saint Mary Catholic cemetery in Lawrenceville. Patrick Hessan died on 28 August 1854, Thomas Hessan died on 11 December 1854 and both were also buried in the Saint Mary cemetery in Lawrenceville.
There is a David Hassam who died in 1862 and was buried in the Allegheny cemetery in Pittsburgh. Could this be our David?
David was buried in Lawrenceville. The following is from an excerpt of a letter written by James Wudarczyk to Norm Meinert, dated 7 July 2000, referring to the Washington Burial Grounds in Lawrenceville, which had been located a block northeast of the Arsenal:
"I tried to obtain a list of all persons buried at the cemetery, but found my efforts to be in vain. Apparently all records of the borough of Lawrenceville were turned over to the city, then to the board of education, who contends that they turned over all such information to Roman Catholic diocese since the Catholic Church purchased the grounds to be used for the youth center. Since all these transactions took place between 1868 and 1950's, no one seems to know where the records wound up. When I contacted the Catholic Diocese, they had no knowledge of the records ever being transferred. As far as I can tell, these valuable documents have been lost forever . . . Some of the names of those buried there are:The Washington Burial Grounds was a cemetery originally founded for the soldiers at the Allegheny Arsenal and was still in use by them as late as 1840. However, by this latter date civilians were also being buried there. David was not identified as a soldier, as others were. The current Allegheny cemetery was opened in 1844.
John Perry
Elizabeth Moore
Mary Moore
Sargeant Brigham*
Virgil David*
Robert Cinnamon*
James Anderson*
Sargeant McCullough*
Private John McCullough*
Private Allen Boyle*
Private Winterbottom*
Private Miller*
William Jeffrey
Nathan McDowell
Kennedy Moorhead
J. B. Wincombe
Callendar Jeffrey
David Hesham
John Jeffrey
Elizabeth Jeffrey
William Jeffrey
William D. Moore, Sr.
*soldiers"
| Lawrenceville Cemetary
According to Morrison Foster, brother of the famous composer, their father, William Foster, had donated one and a quarter acres of ground in the town of Lawrenceville to be "a burial ground for our soldiers forever, where they might be buried by right and not by sufferance." Morrison Foster contends, "At the time this donation was made, soldiers were passing through Pittsburgh continually, going or returning from the front of war [War of 1812]. Many of them died here and there was no place to bury them except in a potter's field. My father, being himself the son of an American soldier, determined that this should no longer be the case." While originally conceived as a resting place for troops, the burial ground was eventually opened to the community. Regulations regarding burials and the up-keep of the facility were established in an ordinance passed by the borough council and signed into law by John Sarber, Burgess, on July 26, 1834. As many as 500 persons may have been buried on these grounds Trouble began to brew over the site in late 1881 when the Washington Sub-District School Board of the City of Pittsburgh elected to use the burial ground as the site for a new school. The School Board petitioned the City council for passage of an ordinance granting the burial ground to the school district. City Council agreed, and executed the deed of transfer on December 31, 1881. Little regard was given for the remains of those buried in the Washington Burial Ground as work crews began to excavate the foundation and cellar. This disrespect for the deceased aroused the bitter resentment of many civic-minded citizens, who took the school board to court in an effort to halt construction of the school. A compromise was eventually reached which required the moving of interred bodies to Allegheny Cemetery, and that the balance of the burial ground be enclosed by a suitable fence. As part of the settlement, a monument was erected on May 25, 1887, which still stands as a reminder of the early days of the history of Lawrenceville. This 12-feet high granite shaft bears the inscription: "In honor of the American soldiers buried here. We will emulate their patriotism, and protect their remains." - taken from "Lawrenceville's Forgotten Cemetery" by James Wudarczyk |
If my research, which discounts the evidence of the 1850 directory, is correct then David may have died as early as 1842 (right after his entry in the 1841 directory) and perhaps no later than 1844. Note that none of his children were born after 1840. Also, the Allegheny cemetery was opened in 1844 and would have been a more likely place for David's burial if he had died after that year. The author of the work cited above stated that, "it [the Washington Burial Ground] served the area until the opening of the larger and more prestigious Allegheny Cemetery."
At least one researcher claims Elizabeth died on 8 April 1850, but I don't know what this was based upon. The 1850 census for Lawenceville was not performed until August of that year and for Peebles, not until July. Who raised Elizabeth's children? Were the children parceled out to relatives or neighbors? It should not be surprising that in the initial turmoil of settling the children, they were not counted in the 1850 census.
David Hessom's children were,
(23) Ann Eliza Hessom (1833)
(23) George W. Hessom (1833)
(23) Benjamin Franklin Hessom (1836)
(23) Charles H. Hessom (1840)
She was born on 9 October 1833 [or 4 November 1833] inside the "garrison walls" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The twin of George Hessom.
Ann married Jacob Rabe Sickels [Sickles], the son of Henry Sickels and Mary Rabe, on 5 December 1852 in West Columbia, Washington county, Pennsylvania. Jacob was born on 10 October 1833 in West Columbia, Pennsylvania.
"Ann Eliza Hessom was born on Oct 9 1833 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., PA. Ann and her twin brother, George, were born inside the Garrison walls, close by the block house, near old Fort Pitt, later to become Pittsburgh, Pa. She died on Nov 22 1927 in Donora, Washington Co., PA. She was buried in Gilmore Cem. Donora, Washington Co., PA. Ann Eliza was 37 yrs old at 1870 census and mother of eight children. One of her children, Effa Ophrelia, is the mother of Ella Johnston Thomas. Eliza is of German/Dutch descent having settled in Allegaheny Co. with her parents. She spoke English but her parents spoke only German/Dutch. At about 16 yrs of age Ann came up the valley and worked for the Heslop family, where she would meet Jacob. In her later years she would often walk to her church, Emanuel Baptist Church, indigantly refusing any ride that might be offered by a gentleman, even including the new minister of the church who had offered a ride to church in his automobile. She declared that such an act would create gossip, and "What would people think?" (from Mamie Horn (Sep 17 1992).A biography on Ancestry.com clarifies:
"Anna Eliza (Hessom) Sickels was born on the site where the garrison walls of Old Fort Pitt once stood in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Nov. 4 1833. Her father David Hessom was a soldier serving in the U.S. Army and was stationed at a garrison not far from where the old Fort Pitt was located."Ann Eliza's parents died circa 1850, about the time that 16 year old Ann Eliza went to work for the Heslop family.
In the 1860 census of Carroll township, Washington county, Pennsylvania as Jacob and Eliza Sickels both 27 years old; they had 4 children. He was a coal miner.
On 1 July 1863 Jacob Sickles, 33, a married man and a miner, of Carroll township, was listed as liable for the draft.
The U.S. Tax Assessment list of those liable to the excise tax, for 1863, has a Hessom & Sickles company, with 13 head of cattle, 13 calves and 4 sheep. Was this Hessom Jacob's brother-in-law, Charles? There is a separate listing for C.H. [Charles H.] Hessom, with 5 head of cattle, 1 hog and 1 calf. Both were located at Carroll township, Washingtonn county, south of Pittsburgh, on the Monongahela river. Jacob Sickles was also in the 1864 Tax Assessment, an owner of cattle and sheep, in Carroll. This must have been part-time work to support his work as a coal miner.
In the 1870 census of Carroll township, Monongahela post office, Washington county, Pennsylvania as Jacob, a 37 year old miner, and Ann E. Sickles, a 37 year old housekeeper. They had 8 children.
In the 1880 census of Carrol township, Washington county, Pennsylvania as Jacob and Ann Sickles, both 46. Ann's parents were both born in Pennsylvania. Also in the 1900 census of Carroll township, both 66 years old. This document showed Ann's father as born in Pennsylvania, but her mother was born in Germany.
In the 1910 census of Donora, Washington county, Pennsylvania as Jacob and Ann Eliza Sickels, both 76 years old. Jacob was a salesman for a tea company. Ann's mother was of Germany, and her father of Pennsylvania. Living with them were grandson, James D., 12, and son, William F. Sickels, a 51 year old carpenter. The family of Robert Sickels, 45, was living next door.
Jacob died in 1918.
In the 1920 census of Donora Ward 1, Washington county, Pennsylvania as Ann Eliza Sickles, an 88 year old widow. Both of her parents were of Pennsylvania.
Anna celebrated her 90th birthday in 1927.
"Celebrates Nintieth BirthdayAnna died on 22 November 1927, one day after the newspaper article above. (23) George W. Hessom (1833)
Mrs. Anna Eliza Sickles, 507 McCrea avenue, Donora, is past her 90th birthday, it being celebrated at her home on Sunday, November 6th. Mrs. Sickles was born inside the garrison at Pittsburgh, her father being a soldier. At an early age she was married to the late Jacob Sickles, to which union ten children were born, five of whom survive. Mrs. Sickles has 70 grandchildren, 158 great grandchildren, and 48 great-great-grandchildren." - from The Daily Republica of Monogahela, Pennsylvania of 21 November 1927
George W. Hessom was born on 9 October 1833, or 4 November 1833, or January 1834 per "The Fair Kingdom," inside the garrison walls at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The twin of Ann Eliza Hessom. He died in 1870, per an unnamed source in the IGI, but on 22 July 1853, at the age of 18, per "The Fair Kingdom." A biography of Anna Eliza says he died when he was 20 years old. Kathleen Doutt Ward writes that George was buried in the Allegheny cemetery in 1852. I have not, however, found his name on any of the lists for that cemetery.
(23) Benjamin Franklin Hessom (1836)He was born in Pittsburgh on 9 [the 8th per his tombstone] February 1836, the son of David Hessom and Elizabeth Hartman. Not much was known about Ben's early life, though "The Fair Kingdom" says he lived in Lawrenceville.
In the 1850 census . . . Ben's parents, David and Elizabeth, were dead by 1850. His elder siblings, Ann Eliza and George, were just 17, Ben was 14, and Charles only 10. Would someone have taken them in? These were hard times and they may have had to make it on their own. I suspect they would have avoided an orphanage if at all possible.
| Early Pittsburgh Orphanages
Pittsburgh's first almshouse was established in 1818. It sheltered the insane, the physically handicapped, and indigent adults and children. Gradually concerns for the separate and better treatment of children developed. The first orphanage was the Protestant Orphan Asylum of Pittsburgh and Allegheny founded in 1832. It was located in Allegheny City, now the town's North Side. The growth of religious and non-sectarian orphanages proliferated and by 1850 there were nine such institutions in Pennsylvania. The conditions in many of these places were appalling. Though often portrayed in the media of the time as dwellings where happy, red-cheeked children played, the reality was sadly the opposite. Constantly under-funded, these institutions were mostly understaffed and overcrowded. The children were too frequently unsupervised which led to bullying, and worse, by the older children. The children were poorly fed and many suffered from malnutrition. |
Benjamin married Martha E. Norman in about 1856. She was born circa 1836, the daughter of William and Eliza Norman. Martha, 14, was in the 1850 census of Pittsburgh, Ward 9, with her parents, William Norman, 60, and Eliza, 50.
Benjamin was listed in the 1857/9 city directory of Pittsburgh - I know, I know, the name uses an "n," but I'm willing to believe this citation is the right man.
"Hesson Benj., drayman, Penn n Morton" - from the City Directory of Pittsburgh of 1857A drayman drove a team of horses or mules pulling a dray, a flatbed wagon without sides. Drays were most commonly used by breweries. A teamster drove a team of horses or mules pulling a wagon.
"Hesson Benjamin, teamster, Penn bt Morris & Rush" - from City Directory of Pittsbugh of 1859
In the 1860 census of Pittsburgh, Ward 9, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Benjamin Hessom, a 23 year old team driver. Living with him were his wife, Martha, 25, and children, Elizabeth, 3, and Mary, 8/12, all of Pennsylvania. They were living with his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Norman, 60, and brother-in-law, Henry Norman, 20. The 9th Ward is identified as Central Lawrenceville.
"Hessun Benj., teamster, Penn n Morton
Hessun Charles. teamster, Penn n Morris" - from "Directory of Pittsburg and Allegheny Cities, and the Adjoining Boroughs" 1860
"Hessom F. Benjamin, teamster, n Heath & Duff's mill, Penn n A V R R, 9th Ward" - from "Directory of Pittsburg and Allegheny Cities, and the Adjoining Boroughs" 1861Heath & Duff's was a lumber mill located in the 9th ward, on Duquesne way, between Morton and Rush. That is just south of Lawrenceville. Duquesne Way ran along the Allegheny river front. Morris street is 26th. Rush street is 27th. Morton street is 28th. Penn Avenue runs diagonally, just south of the Arsenal. A V R R was the Allegheny Valley Railroad. "The AVR's mainline travels northward through Pittsburgh from an intersection with Norfolk Southern near Panther Hollow, before splitting in the Lawrenceville neighborhood." - from Wikipedia. Railroad tracks intersect Penn Avenue at 33rd street, in Lower Lawrenceville.
"Hessom Benjamin F, lab[orer], " - from "Directory of Pittsburg and Allegheny Cities, the Adjacent Boroughs, . . ."Also,
"Hessun Benj., teamster, Penn n MorrisThe following looks like Lawrenceville (Butler road).
Hessun Charles. teamster, Penn n Morris" - from the "Pittsburgh Directory" for 1861-62 by R.L. Polk & Company
"Hesson Benj. F., lab, Butler n Rush" - from the "Pittsburgh Directory" for 1862-63 by R.L. Polk & Company
"Hesson Benj., lab, Butler n Morton" - from the "Pittsburgh Directory" for 1863-64 by R.L. Polk & CompanyI don't see Benjamin in the 1864-65 directory.
With his experience as a teamster, Benjamin apparently took a flyer with livestock. The U.S. Tax Assessment list of those liable to the excise tax, for 1863, has a Hessom & Sickles company, with 13 head of cattle, 13 calves and 4 sheep. There is a separate listing for C.H. [Charles H?] Hessom, with 5 head of cattle, 1 hog and 1 calf. Both were located at Carroll. The latter was a township in Washingtonn county, south of Pittsburgh, on the Monongahela river. Ann Eliza, Ben's elder sister, had married Jacob Rabe Sickles, who was possibly Ben's partner. Note that Jacob Sickles was in the 1864 Tax Assessment, an owner of cattle and sheep, in Carroll. Jacob had lived in Carroll township since at least 1860.
The excise list for 1866 has a Benj Hessom, of Lawrenceville, with an income of $116.00, with a tax of $5.80, though no indication of the source of his income. Later Benjamin went to work for the McKelvey Oil Company; David McKelvey was a pioneer in the oil business. Note the middle name of son William, below, given in honor of Ben's boss, McKelvey.
"Hessen Benjamin, refiner, Penn & Morton" - from the "Pittsburgh Directory" for 1865-66In the 1867-68 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Ben. F. lab. Bellefontaine, L."I haven't located Bellefontaine in Pennsylvania. He's also in the 1868-69 directory as,
"Hesson Benjamin,lab. Bellefontaine n R R, L."He's in the 1869-70 directory as,
"Hessam Benjamin, la[b?], Forty-third n River."And again, he's in the 1870 directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Benjamin, lab, Butler op S."
About this same time Benjamin began taking care of animals, eventually becoming a veternarian - is that a reference to his livestock business? A young Ben is pictured to the right.
In the 1870 census of the 18th Ward, Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as B.S. [sic] Hessom [Hissom in Ancestry.com], a 34 year old working at the "McKiv Oil Refy," of Pennsylvania. Living with him were M.E. [Martha E.], 34, of Maryland, and children E.M. [Elizabeth], 13, M. F. [Mary Frances], 10, M.J. [Margaret J.], 8, B.F. [Benjamin Franklin], 6, and J.W.B. [John Wesley Baker], 3, all of Pennsylvania. Neither of Ben's parents were listed as foreign born.
On 17 March 1874 Benj. F. Hessom bought a lot measured 89x119 feet on Morning Side avenue in the 18th ward of Pittsburgh from Firman K. Duff. He paid $850 - from the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette of 6 May 1874. He apparently built a home there.
In the 1874 city directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Benjamin, lab, Butler, 18th ward."This still looks like Lawrenceville. In 1875 Benjamin was a laborer living on "Morningside av." This is just north of Lawrenceville and inside Butler street, which borders the Allegheny river as it turns east at this point.
In 1874 Benjamin's wife, Martha, died. Could the following be for Martha with the 4 mistranscribed as a 9?
HESSON, Martha E, Section: 32, Lot: SP, Single Grave: 923, Death: 1879 - from the Allegheny cemetery
In the 1876-77 city directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Benjamin F, lab, Morningside road, 18th ward."However, Benjamin now took a step up in society. In the 1878 city directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom B F, foreman, Oil Works, ab Sharpsburg bridge"In 1856 a wooden bridge was built across the Allegheny connecting Butler street, on the Pittsburgh side, and Bridge street, on the Etna side. This is not far from Benjamin's Morningside road address. The bridge burned iin 1861, but was replaced the following year. There were numerous oil works on the north side of the bridge, these included in 1870 the Eclipse Oil Works, Citizens Refinery, Forsyth Brothers, the Astral works of John B. Bell & Sons, the Anchor works of Dilworth Brothers, and the National Refinery's bleaching house. This would all be on the left side, far shore of the photograph below. By the way, the entire side of the river, along Duguesne Way, from Lawrenceville to the bridge, contained many oil refineries.
On 26 January 1880 Benjamin next married Anna Marie Mahaffey [Malaffey]. She was born on 17 October 1846. In the 1870 census of North Fayette township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Anna Mahaffey, a 22 year old [1848] housekeeper for Joseph McMurray and his family. She was born in Pennsylvania. She was possibly the daughter of Andrew Mahaffey. North Fayette township is in western Allegheny county, just south of Moon township.
In the 1880 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Benjamin Hessom [as Benj. Hathem in Familysearch.org], a 44 year old [1836] foreman in an oil refinery [McKelvey's?]. Living with him was his wife, Annie, 33 [1847], and children, Lizzie, 23 [1857], Mary 21 [1859], Magie 18 [1862], Benjamin, a 15 year old [1865] who worked in a barrel factory, and John [Wesley Baker], a 13 year old [1867] who worked in a barrel factory, and Martha [was this Martha Ella?], 8. David, born in 1877, had already died by this time. The origin's of Ben's parents were left blank.
| East Deer Township
|
Though he had practiced for many years, Benjamin received a vet's license from Allegheny county, #13, in 1889.
In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Benjamin Hessom, a 64 year old farmer, born February 1836 in Pennsylvania. Living with him was his second wife, Anna M. Hessom, 53, born in October 1846 in Pennsylvania. They had been married for 20 years and Anna had 4 children, all still living. Both of Benjamin's parents were born in Pennsylvania, as were Anna's. Also living with him were his children, William M., a 19 year old teamster, born in February 1881, Homer, a 15 year old tin plate laborer, born in July 1884, Walter, a 13 year old tin plate laborer, born in August 1885, and Annie M., 11, at school, born in February 1889. Benjamin's nephew, Charles H. Hessom, was a near neighbor.
After retiring from the Oil Company after 1900, Ben moved into a large home, perhaps a mansion, on Boquet Hill, across from New Kensington, in Westmoreland county. This was in East Deer township, in Allegheny county. The hill is named for General Henry Boquet, who fought in the French and Indian Wars, and who named Fort Pitt, and, so, Pittsburgh. The hill, more like a ridge line, is on the west side of the Allegheny river, near the 9th street bridge. Margie, of Pittsburgh, wrote,
"I also explored a house on Bouquet Hill, some time in the mid 60's. In fact I still have a brass doorknob that I found there. The house I was in had beautiful parquet floors, a dumbwaiter, a huge sunporch... It was torn down in the late 60's, early 70's. It was located, as best I can remember, in the vicinity of where some high tension electric lines cross the top of the hill. Is this the same house? Someone on another thread recalled the house was at one time owned by the Hessom family."Below is a view of New Kensington, circa 1902, looking southeast. The 9th street bridge, on the Allegheny river, crosses over to Allegheny county. Boquet Hill is just out of view, to the right.
"East Deer Township
Hessom & Son, B. T., Hites P. O., retail" - from The Pittsburgh Press of 21 April 1902. Not sure which of the family this relates to, but this looks likely.
Ben died at home on 2 August 1909, of cancer. The inscription on his tombstone, right, reads:
Benjamin F.He was buried in plot F4 at the Prospect Cemetery, Brackenridge, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Brackenridge is north of New Kensington, a couple of miles up the Allegheny river.
HESSOM
Feb 8, 1836
Aug 2, 1909
Annie M. Hessom
Oct. 17, 1846
Apr. 3, 1915
Ben had a will dated 24 June 1909. A descendent writes of Benjamin's family:
"I have A copy of Benjamin Franklin Hessom's Death Certificate from Allegheny Co, PA. There it states that his father was David Hessom and that David was born in Germany. David's father was Isaac Hessom who appeared in Alleghney Co, PA in a land Transaction in 1816. I can find no trace of him before that. My mother always told me that her mother said the family spoke German, but it was not the same German that was spoken in Germany. So take it for what it is worth. My Nephew was is Germany visiting and could find no trace of the Hessom name either. Could they have been running away from something and changed their name? That happened in another branch of my family." - from Kathleen Doutt WardYou would think a son would know his father's country of origin, but I cling to my theory. I do this because I've seen families make these kinds of mistakes many times and, in this case, because Ben was so young when his parents died.
Ben's obituary,
"Dr. Benjamin F. Hessom, Sr. age 73, a veterinary surgeon of Bouquet, PA died at his home yesterday morning after an illness of over a year. Dr. Hessom was born in Pittsburgh, was educated as a veterinary surgeon, but became a pioneer in the oil refining business starting with McKelvey and McMahon on 44th Street in 1867. He remained in their employ until 1874, when the Standard Oil Co. was formed, becoming identified with the Atlantic Refining Co., a Standard subsidiary, remaining with it untill 1894, when he resumed the practice of his profession at Boquet. Dr. Hessom was married to Martha E. Norman of Pittsburg, who died February 4, 1874. He was married a second time in 1880 to Miss Anna Mahaffey of Mansfield, PA who survives, with five sons and five daughters, B. F. Hessom, Jr., of the Allegheny County Light Company, W. B. Hessom [John Wesley Baker Hessom], Saginaw, Mich, William Hessom, Allegheny Plate Glass Company, W. Allen Hessom, a retail oil dealer, Homer Hessom, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson of Hite, PA, Mrs. Daniel Corbett of Pittsburg, Mrs. Margaret Anthony of New Kensington, Mrs. Ella Orris of Hite, PA, and Miss Anna Hessom at home. Dr. Hessom was for many years a member of the Union Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church od Sharpsburg, PA." - from The Pittsburgh Press of 3 August 1909Tarentum and Brackenridge are located immediately next to each other. Another obituary states,
"Dr. Benjamin F. Hessom, Sr.
Dr. Benjamin F. Hesson [sic], Sr., a well-known veterinary surgeon of the county is dead at his home in Bouquet, Pa. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is survived by five sons, B. F. Hessom, Jr., of the Allegheny County Light Company; J. W. B. of Saginaw, Mich.; William, of the Allegheny Plate Glass Company; W. Allen, and Homer Hesson [sic], and five daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, of Hite, Pa.; Mrs. Daniel Corbett, of this city; Mrs. Margaret Anthony, of New Kensington; Mrs. Ella Oris, of Hite, and Miss Anna Hesson [sic], at home." - from the Pittsburgh Daily Post of 4 August 1909
In the 1910 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Annie M. Hessam [sic], 63. Living with her was her son, Homer, and daughter, Annie.
Anna M. Hessom died on 3 April 1915. The inscription on her tombstone reads, "Anna M. HESSOM Oct 17, 1846 - Apr 3, 1915." She was buried alongside Benjamin in plot F4 of the Prospect Cemetery. Laura M. Hessom, 1883-1918, and William M. Hessom, 1881-1949, are also buried in the same site.
There was a Thresa [Theresa] Hessom, born in about 1848, in the 1910 census of Tarentum, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Perhaps a wife of one of the boys below.
Ben's children were,
(24) Elizabeth "Lizzie" J. Hessom (1857), married a Thompson of Hite, Pennsylvania and died in 1949.
(24) Mary Hessom (1852), died young
(24) Mary Frances Hessom (1859)
(24) Margaret "Maggie" J. Hessom (1862), married an Anthony of New Kensington, Pennsylvania
(24) Benjamin Franklin Hessom Jr. (1865)
(24) John Wesley Baker Hessom (1867)
(24) David Hessom (c1877), there is a David Hessom, born about 1877 who died of scarlet fever in July 1880 in Pittsburgh.
(24) William McKelvey Hessom (1881)
(24) Homer Hessom (1884)
(24) Walter Allen Hessom (1886)
(24) Martha Ella Hessom, married Edward S. Orris [Oris] on 23 June 1892 in Hite, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and
(24) Anna May Hessom (1889), married Edward Webster Pugsley on 23 April 1911, died 13 June 1945.
She was born on 12 September 1859 in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In the 1860 census of Pittsburgh Post Office, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Mary Hessom, 1. Where was she at the time of the 1870 census? In the 1880 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Mary Hessom [Hathem in Familysearch.org], 21 [1859].
She married Daniel Robert Corbett in August 1883 in Pittsburgh and had a large family. She died on 20 June 1930.
"If anyone is having troubles tracing the Hessom name be careful. Benjamin F. Hessom Sr.and Martha Norman had a daughter named Mary Frances Hessom (b. Sept 1859) in the Pittsburgh area. She married a Daniel Robert Corbett b. 1861. His son Robert Daniel Corbett b. 1902 changed his name to Hessom after leaving my dads family abt 1930. Married again in abt 1933 keeping the Hessom name until he passed in 1959." - a post by Craig CorbettMary died on 20 June 1930 and was buried at the Forest Lawn cemetary in California.
Here is the family of confusion, noted above. They are actually Corbetts.
(25) Robert Daniel Hessom [Corbett] (1900)There was a Robert Daniel Hessom Jr., born on 23 January 1900, in Pittsburgh, the son of Daniel Robert Hessom and Mary Frances Corbett - as noted above, those surnames should be reversed. The IGI shows his birth as 23 January 1902. Robert Jr. married Leoloa Mae Looney on 3 May 1933.
In the 1940 census of Mount Vernon, Fairfax county, Virginia as Robert Hessom, 40. Living with him was his wife, Leola, 30, and children, Patricia, 3, and James L., 2. Also living with him were Flora, 45, Gordon, 15, and Edgar, 12, Looney.
He died on 5 February 1959 at the Mt. Alto VA hospital in Washington, D.C. Leoloa died on 26 July 2001 in Aurora, Colorado.
"Leola Mae Looney HessomTheir children were,
Services for Leola Mae Looney Hessom, 91, of Denver will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2001 at Moss Service Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Friendship Baptist Cemetery in Winston County near Addison. Moss Service Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Hessom died Thursday, July 26 at the Medical Center of Aurora in Colorado. She was born Dec. 15, 1909 in Winston County. She worked for 30 years for the Justice Department and Civil Rights. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Daniel Hessom. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Quinlan of Denver; a son, James L. Hessom of Sterling, Va.; two sisters, Lois Dollar and Clovice Callahan, both of Cullman; a brother, Edgar Looney of Decatur; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday."
Benjamin F. Hessom Jr., the son of Benjamin F. Hessom and Martha E. Norman, was born in April 1865, the son of Benjamin Hessom. In the 1870 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as B.F. Hessom [Hissom in Ancestry.com], 6.
In the 1880 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Benjamin Hessom [Hathem in Familysearch.org], a 15 year old [1865] who worked in a barrel factory.
Of the Allegheny County Light Company, an electric company. He must have received an apprentice's training at some point.
He married Lizzie M. Blasdell on 21 April 1892 in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania.
In the 1896 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom B F, fireman, Twelth and Pike, h Aspinwall, W P R R"The WPRR was the West Pennsylvania Rail Road. In the 1897 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom B F, fireman, Twelth and Pike, h Aspinwall, W P R R"
In the 1899 City Directory of Pittsburg as both,
"Hessom Benjamin F, inspector, h Aspinwall, Pa."
"Hessom B F, electrician, h 134 5th" [Aspinwall section]
In the 1900 census of Aspinwall borough, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Benjamin F. Hessom, a 35 year old electrician, born in Pennsylvania in April 1865. Living with him were his wife, Lizzie M., 32, born in January 1868, and daughter, Erytle [sic] C. M. Hessom, 4, born in March 1896. They had been married 8 years and had two children, of which one was still living.
| Aspinwall, Pennsylvania
This small town, or suburb, is located on the northern side of the Allegheny river, just upriver from Lawrenceville. It is directly across from the Pittsburgh Zoo.  |
In the Pittsburgh Directory of 1900 as,
"Hessom, Benjamin F, inspr, Aspinwall, Pa"In the 1904 and 1905 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Benjamin F electrician 435 6th av h Aspinwall Pa."In the 1906 and 1912 directory as,
"Hessom Benj F jr ins 435 6th av."
In the 1910 census of Aspinwall borough, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Benjamin F. [S in Ancestry.com] Hessom, a 45 year old electrician. Living with him were his wife, Lizzie M., 43, and daughter, Eyrtle C. Hessom, 14.
In the 1920 census of Aspinwall, Allegheny county, Pennsylvannia as Benjamin Hessom, a 54 year old electrician with the Light Company. Living with him were Elizabeth, 52, and Eyrtle, a 23 year old music teacher.
"Hessom, B.F., Jr." of Aspinwall, Pennsylvania was a member of the American Electromechanical Society, in 1921.
"Hessom, B.F. Jr. (May 26, '10) General Inspector, Duquesne Light Co., 435 6th Ave., Pittsburg, Pa.; mailing address, 136 5th St., Aspinwall, Pa." - from "Transactions of the American Electromechanical Society"He has a patent for an "advertising medium" dated 28 September 1909. He later assigned one-half of this patent to WJ Bailey of Aspinwall, Pennsylvania.
"Misses Only 1 Sunday Service in 13 Years
With a record of having missed only one Sunday in 13 years, B. F. Hessom Jr. of the Duquesne Light Company will preside at the regular weekly Y. M. C. A. services in West Park this afternoon. Mr. Hessom has been identified with the park services ever since the association began them. Two services will be held today. One, at 3 o'clock, will be held at Lake Elizabeth, while the second will be held at 4 o'clock in front of the Elks' fountain. L. C. Heineman, executive secretary of the Hilltop Y. M. C. A., and T. B. Hendrickson will speak." - from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of 27 July 1924.
Oddly, in the 1927, 1929 and 1930 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Benj jr msngr [1927] clk [1929/1930] Diamond Natl Bank r 136 th (Aspinwall)"The Diamond National bank opened in 1875, see the photograph to the right.
In the 1930 census of Aspinwall, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Ben F. Hessom, 64. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 62.
In the 1932 City Directory of Aspinwall, Ben was again shown as a clerk with the Diamond National Bank, at the same address as above.
I suspect Benjamin's wife, Lizzie, died on 15 August 1936. Benjamin F. Hessom Jr. died on 29 March 1937 and was buried in the Allegheny cemetery in Pittsburgh. I believe that Elmer, below, was the child of Benjamin and Lizzie noted to have died in the 1900 census.
HESSOM, Benjamin F Jr., Section: 38, Lot: A, Single Grave: 695, Death: 3/29/1937, Burial: 3/29/1937
HESSOM, Elizabeth, Section: 38, Lot: A, Single Grave: 696, Death: 8/15/1936, Burial: 8/15/1936
HESSOM, Elmer M, Section: 30, Lot: 22, Grave: 1, Death: 1895 - from the Allegheny Cemetery
His children were,
(25) Elmer M. Hessom (c1893)He died in 1895 and was buried in the Allegheny cemetery.
(25) Eyrtle C. Hessom (1895)An Eyrtle Grunow or Reichle, born 6 March 1895 in Pennsylvania, died on 19 October 1977 in Los Angeles, California. Her husband was Henry C. Reichle.
(24) John Wesley Baker Hessom (1867)Of Saginaw, Mich. John Wesley Baker Hessom, the son of Benjamin F. Hessom and Martha E. Norman, was born 20 September 1867 in the 9th ward of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In the 1870 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as J.W.B. Hessom [Hissom in Ancestry.com], 3.
In the 1880 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hessom [Hathem in Familysearch.org], a 13 year old [1867] who worked in a barrel factory. He was living with his father, Benjamin Hessom, and stepmother, Annie Mahaffey.
I recently received the following information from Joseph Hessom, a descendent.
". . . W.B. Hessom is John Wesley Baker Hessom. He was a Glass Cutter and from time to time moved throughout the country to various glass plants. My Grandfather [Joseph Hessom] was a glasscutter as was my father. Together they also owned a restaurant. My younger brother is one of the few in our generation that is a very good glass cutter using a diamond roller. My brother Jason owns Valley Glass and beveling . . . when I was Constable a 90 year old lady at an election polling place came up to me and told me how she and her friends would stop at my GG Grandfathers store after school to buy candy and warm up . . ."
John W.B. Hessom, who was born on 20 September 1867 in Pittsburgh, a glassworker residing in Hites Station, Pennsylvania, married Mary C. Pettigrew, who was born on 8 October 1871 [?] in Sandy Creek, Pennsylvania, on 9 April 1890. I have a Mary Pedigrew, aged 9 in 1880, living in East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, just as John was at that time. John was on page 8, Mary on page 3. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Pedigrew, widow. John's eldest son, John Jr., was born in about 1891.
Apparently Mary died because in about 1896 John married a Clara Souply [Clara J. Supley].
In the 1900 census of Moore township, Madison county, Indiana as John W. Hessem, a 32 year old Polisher in the Plate House. Oddly the census shows him as born in March 1878. They must have meant 1868, to match his age, but where did March come from? Living with him were his wife, Clara, 25 [May 1875], of France, and children John 8, Martha, 2, and Joseph, 1 month. John and Clara had been married for 4 years and had 4 children, 3 still living. All the children had a mother born in France. Son Joseph must have died because we have another Joseph, aged 7, in the 1910 census, below. What was John doing in Indiana? Madison county was a center of the glass industry, John's career field. By the way, though Clara should speak English, she could neither read nor write it.
In the 1910 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hessom, a 42 year old plate glass laborer. Living with him was his wife, Clara, 37, of France, and children, Martha, 11, John, a 19 year old plate glass laborer, and Joseph, 7, Homer, 5, and Alice 2 months, all born in Pennsylvania. The census shows that Clara had 5 children, all living. Does this show that John Jr. was her son, perhaps born before the couple was married? John Jr. is shown to have a mother with French ancestry. Clara is shown to have married at the age of 22 here, that is just 15 years previous, in 1895. John's marriage age is over-written and impossible for me to make out. It's 20-something.
I think the following fits here. John W[esley] Hessom provides his son, Joseph, with apprenticeship.
In the 1920 census of of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hessom, a 53 year old watchman in an Aluminum company. Living with him was his wife, Clara, 43, and children, Joseph, an 18 year old mechanic in a garage, Homer, a 16 year old "block helper" in a Glass works, and Esther, 10.
"Hessom John wtchmn U S. Alum Co h Freeport rd Glassmere" - from "Polk's New Kensington Directory" of 1927. Why wasn't Clara listed?
In the 1930 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hessom, a 61 year old watchman at the Aluminum factory. Living with him were his wife, Clara, 53, and daughter, Esther, 20. John was 26 when first married and Clara 19. John owned his own home, which was worth $3000. They also had a radio. In this census Clara, and her parents, are said to be of Belgium.
In the 1940 census of East Deer, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as J.W. Hessom, a 73 year old proprietor of a retail grocery store, of Pennsylvania. Living with him was his wife, Clara J. Hessom, 63, of Belgium. They owned their own house, valued at $6,000, on Freeport road. He had gottenn through the 4th grade and she the 2nd.
John died on 6 October 1941 in Creighton, Pennsylvania.
"Mrs. Alice Michaux has received word of the death of her brother-in-law. John W. Hessom, aged 75, of New Kensington, formerly of Charleroi. His passing occurred yesterday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock. He was formerly employed by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass company and later with the Aluminum works at New Kensington. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Clara Souply Hessom, two daughters and two sons." - from The Charleroi Mail of 7 October 1941"My grandfather said he remembered him [B.F.] working on horses."
His children with Mary C. Pettigrew were,
(25) John Wesley Hessom (1891)
His children with Clara J. Supley were,
(25) Martha E. Hessom (1898), born in March 1898, alive in October 1941. Martha E. Hessom married Hector Jesse Molet.
(25) Joseph Hessom (1900/1903)
(25) Homer Hessom (1905), he died young
(25) Alice Esther Hessom (1910), alive in October 1941
John Hessom was born 9 June 1881, per his SSN card and tombstone, or in 1891 per the 1900-1940 census. His Social Security card was issued in Arkansas, like Irving's, below. He must have been a travelor.
John Hessom. Birth 9 Jun 1881. Where Issued: Arkansas. Death Mar 1970. - from SSN recordsJohn lived in Oklahoma in the 1930's. Note that Social Security cards were not issued until the 1930's [of course].
In the 1900 census of Moore township, Madison county, Indiana as John Hessem, 8, living at home with his parents, John W. and Clara.
In the 1910 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hessom, a 19 year old plate glass laborer. He was living at home with his parents, John and Clara.
Hattie Holmes, born in 1890 [or c1892 per the 1930 census], "married John Hessom and moved to Okla." This marriage had occurred by 1915.
"Hessom John W Jr (Hattie), ctr, h 1502 5th av. A." - from the City Directory of New Kensington, Pennsylvania of 1915But John was a wanderer. In the 1916 City Directory of Saginaw, Michigan as "Hessom John, glasswkr, res 217 Wisner."
I think the J.W. Hessom below is our John W., so the family first moved to McKean county before going on to Oklahoma after 1920. McKean is in north-central Pennsylvania.
"SAILORS TALK ABOUT WAR
From the McKean County Miner.Robert Paul Bechtel, of Baker's Summit, Pa., and Irving Holmes, of Saginaw Mich., were in town Sunday and Monday, visiting J. W. Hessom, of Hilton avenue; Mrs. Hessom is Mr. Holmes' sister [this must be J.W.'s wife, Hattie Holmes]. These men are members of the United States navy and each wears on his sleeve the mark of excellence in gunnery, while Mr. Holmes has the additional insignia for continuous service having enlisted in the navy in 1911, and is now serving the period measured by the duration of the war." - from the "Altoona Tribune" of 11 May 1918 of Blair county, Pennsylvania
In the 1920 census of Smethport borough, McKean county, Pennsylvania as John Hesson Jr. [sic], a 29 year old cutter in a glass factory, of Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Hattie, 29, of Michigan, and children, Irving, 6, Lucille, 4 7/12, Edward, 2 9/12, and Delhia, 1 9/12, all of Pennsylvania.
In the 1922 City Directory of Mansfield, Ohio as "Hessom John W [Hattie C M] laborer res 257 N Diamond."
In the 1930 census of Okmulgee City, Okmulgee county, Oklahoma as John W. Hessom, a 39 year old cutter in a glass plant, of Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Hattie, 38, and children, Irving, a 16 year old cutter in a glass plant, Lucille, 14, Edward, 13, Deliah, 12, and Hattie, 8. Okmulgee City is east of Oklahoma City. There were a number of glass factories in the town. High-quality glass sand, with few impurities and high silica content, occurred in abundance in southeastern Oklahoma in the Arbuckle Mountains near Roff, Sulphur, and Mill Creek and in the northeast near Tahlequah, as well as in other locations. In addition, natural gas, discovered after 1900, provided an abundant fuel source.
In the 1938 directory of Fort Smith Arkansas:
"Hessom Delia B student r 1123 No 11th
Hessom Edw H. glass cutter r 1123 No 11th
Hessom Hattie C r 1123 No 11th
Hessom John W (Hattie) ctr Harding Glass Co h 1123 No 11th"
In the 1940 census of Gans, Sequoyah county, Oklahoma as John Hessom, a 49 year old glass worker. Living with him were his wife, Hattie, 48, and little Hattie, 18. In 1935 they had been living in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Sequoyah county is in the Fort Smith metopolitan area.
At his death in March 1970, John lived in Sallisaw, Sequoyah count, Oklahoma.
Hattie Hessom died on 15 November 1985 in Morris, Okmulgee county, Oklahoma. Their children were,
(26) Irving Howard Hessom (1914)
(26) Lucille Hessom (c1916)
(26) Edward C. Hessom (1917)
(26) Deliah Blanche Hessom (1918), she was born on 29 August 1918, in Pennsylvania. She married an Ibison. She died in Mecklenburg, North Carolina on 29 July 2004. She was divorced at the time.
(26) Hattie C. Hessom (c1922). A Hattie Fredrica [sic] Hessom married RC Hiram Thomas. Hattie was born in 1921 and died 1985.
He was born on 1 January 1914, the son of John W. Hessom and Hattie C. Holmes. Known as "Skip." "I remember him telling me once that his father's family was originally from Pa. and had migrated from Germany." - Polly Roach Hessom. Alice Adams wrote, "I am Irving Hessom's 1st cousin. His mother, Hattie, was my father's sister . . . Irving was named after my father, Irving Holmes."
In the 1930 census of Okmulgee City, Okmulgee county, Oklahoma as Irving Hessom, a 16 year old cutter in a glass plant, living at home with his parents, John W. and Hattie Hessom.
His Social Security card was issued in Arkansas (why would that be?).
Irving Hessom. Birth 1 Jan 1914. Where Issued: Arkansas. Death 12 Apr 1990.He married Juanita.
In the 1940 census of Okmulgree City, Oklahoma as Irving Hessom, a 26 year old cutter in a Glass Factory. Living with him were his wife, Juanita, 24, and son, I. Howard, 3. Juanita had been born in California.
Irving was in California during the war, perhaps working in one of the many defense industries.
"Hessom Irving H (Juanita) aircrftwkr r1084 5th" - from the San Bernardino, Califoria City Directory of 1944Skip seems to have returned to Oklahoma.
At some point Irving married Imo Brazell, noted to be Irving Jr's step-mother, below. I also have a Mrs. [!] Juanita H. Hessom, 32, born in 1916, who married Theo W. Bonds, 29, on 9 May 1948 in Randolph, Arkansas.
Skip died on 12 April 1990 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. "Skip was what he went by. He was survived by his wife Imo Hessom, 1 grandaughter, 2 grandsons. He has 2 great grandchildren now by his grandaughter." - Holly Hessom Roach. He was buried in the Okmulgee Cemetery, Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His tombstone included : Richard Howard Hessom 15 May 1944 - 2 February 1972, "Beloved Son."
His children were,
(27) Irving Howard Hessom Jr. (1936)
(27) Richard Howard Hessom (1944), 15 May 1944 - 2 February 1972, aged 27, buried in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He died in Marion, Florida. I suspect he died unmarried.
Known as "Rusty," he was named after his uncle, Irving Holmes, per a relative, Alice Adams, though he was clearly the son of Irving Howard Hessom Sr. Rusty (I guess he disliked the name Irving) was born on 29 September 1936 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His daughter, Holly, remembers her dad "telling me once that his father's family was originally from Pa. and had migrated from Germany." This aligns with the traditional Hessom family story, see at the top of this page. Rusty's Social Security card, however, was issued in California.
Irving Hessom. Birth 29 Sep 1936. Where Issued: California. Death 29 Sep 2001.His father brought the family back to Oklahoma after World War II.
He married Vivian Joyce [last name unknown].
He lived in Pflugerville, Texas.
Irving H. Hessom Jr. died on 29 September 2001 (his birthday!) in Grapevine, Tarrant county, Texas at the age of 65. He was buried in Okmulgree City, Oklahoma. His obituary:
Irving Howard "Rusty" Hessom, 65, of Okmulgee died at his home in Grapevine, Texas. He was self-employed in construction work. Survivors include two sons, Dusty Hessom of Morris and Kirk Hessom; a daughter, Holly Roach and husband Roy of Texas; two grandchildren and his step-mother, Imo Hessom. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Thursday at the Okmulgee Cemetery with Scott Fetgatter officiating. Arrangements are under direction of the Martin-Thompson Funeral Home of Grapevine, Texas."He was a well liked man, well educated, and had several businesses in the home building and real estate industry. He is survived by two sons and one daughter, and two grandsons by his daughter and son in law." - Holly Hessom Roach. He was buried in plot 805E no. C at the Okmulgee Cemetery, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
His children were,
(28) Irving "Dusty" Howard Hissem III (1957)
(28) Kirk Charles Hessom (1970)
(28) Holly D. Hessom (c1977)
Irving H. Hessom was born on 2 October 1957. Dusty is, I suppose, a rhyme of his father's nickname, Rusty. Of Morris, Okmulgee county, Oklahoma. Now perhaps of Austin, Texas. Wife and child may be Katherine and E.C.
(28) Kirk Charles Hessom (1970)Kirk Charles Hessom was born on 12 August 1970 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He attended Charles Page High School of Sand Springs, Oklahoma from 1985 to 1989. Kirk C. Hessom first married Carmen Marie (Mason) Fitzgerald and had one child. Later he married Dorothea Mary Graham on 25 June 1999 in Harris county, Texas. Kirk Charles Hessom died on 12 September 2010 in Texas.
I recently received the following from Kirk's daughter, Ashley.
"Pleasure to meet you! My name is Ashley Hessom.His children are,
I was doing a bit of internet digging and I happened to stumble upon your website, regarding "David Hessom." My father was Kirk Charles Hessom and my mom is Dorothea Mary Graham Hessom, kin to Irving Hessom. I just have a bit of information about my dad that I would love for you to know and possibly add, his memory is growing fainter as the years pass from his death, I can't even find his original obituary we had made. It made my heart smile that somewhere out there his memory lives on not just in our heads and our photo albums.
Kirk was a well loved-community man, he worked mostly in the electrician field and actually has 3 kids. Bryce Fitzgerald (1996), from Ms. Carmen Fitzgerald, Kyle Hessom(2000) and Ashley Hessom (2002), from his marriage to Dorothea Mary Hessom in 1999. He resided in the surrounding area of Houston, Tx in Clear Lake-Kemah area. He had a special interest in motorcycles and was a gym head before his unexpected passing in 2010. He was cremated then after that and was partially placed in the sea as that was his favorite place to be. He now has 2 beautiful grandchildren, named after him and 3 beautiful kids living in his memory everyday."
Of Houston, Texas. 1991-1995 Grapevine High School, Grapevine, Texas. She married Roy D. Roach in Tarrant, Texas.
(26) Edward C. Hessom (1917)Also as Edward H. Hessom. The brother of Irving Howard Hessom. Edward, the son of John W. and Hattie C. Hessom, was born on 12 March 1917. He also had an Arkansas Social Security card.
Edward Hessom. Birth 12 Mar 1917. Where Issued: Arkansas. Death 31 Jul 1999.In the 1930 census of Okmulgee county, Oklahoma as Edward Hessom, 13, living at home with his parents, John W. and Hattie Hessom.
He was a glass cutter.
He married Beatrice Kinsey.
In the 1940 census of Gans, Sequyah county, Oklahoma as Edward Hessom, a 23 year old worker in a Glass Factory. Living with him was his wife, Beatrice, a 21 year old stenographer for the WPA.
In the 1950 census of Okmulgee City, Oklahoma as Edward C. Hessom, a 33 year old glass cutter in a Window Glass Factory. Living with him were his wife, Beatrice, and sons, Edward C. Jr., 7, and Gary M., 3, both of Arkansas.
Edward C. Hessom died on 31 July 1999 in Morris, Okmulgee county, Oklahoma.
Edward's children were,
(27) Edward C. Hessom Jr. (1943)
Edward C. Hessom, 27, married Patty R. Brown, 19, on 7 November 1970 in Dallas, Texas.
(27) Gary Michael Hessom (1947)Gary was born on 17 March 1947. He died on 24 August 2013. He apparently never married.
"Gary Michael Hessom, a resident of Morris, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the age of 66. He was born March 17, 1947 to Edward C. Hessom, Sr. and Beatrice (Kinsey) Hessom in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He served in the United States Army and was a lifetime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Okmulgee. Gary was an avid car racer and he was dedicated and loved his family dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, E.C. and Beatrice Hessom."(25) Joseph Eugene Hessom (1900/3)
Of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He was born on 5 April 1903 [or 1900?], probably in Indiana. In the 1900 census of Moore township, Madison county, Indiana as Joseph Hessem, 1 month old. In the 1910 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Joseph Hessom, 7, living at home with his parents, John and Clara Hessom. In the 1920 census of of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Joseph Hessom, an 18 year old mechanic in a garage, living at home.
I believe he married Phyllis L. McIntyre. Or, he married Ernestine in 1928.
In the 1930 census of Arnold borough, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Joseph Hessom, a 30 year old laborer in a glass factory. Living with him were his wife Ernestine [?], 24, and son, Joseph, 1 2/12.
In the 1940 census of Allegheny, Wesmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Joseph Hessom, a 40 year old glass worker. Living with him were his wife, Earenstine, 34, and children, Joseph, 11, Richard, 9, and Wesley, 5.
They lived in Leechburg/New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He was a glasscutter and restaurant owner. He died on 19 July 1988, in New Kensington, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His children were,
(26) Joseph Eugene Hessom Jr. (1929)
(26) Richard Dale Hessom (1930)
(26) John Wesley Hessom (1934)
(26) Gloria Jean Hessom, she married Lawrence M. Butler in October 1962, and, subsequently, Frank A. Martrano. In 1965 her 17-month old son, Lawrence Jr., died. John and Richard Hessom, and William and Charles Butler were pallbearers.
He was born on 9 March 1929. In 1951 Joseph was an Aviation Cadet. He was subsequently commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
"Rehearsal supper and dance for Miss Jean Taylor and her fiance, Joseph E. Hessom, Jr., at the St. Anthony Hotel, with Thad Jennett of Houston as host." - from the "San Antonio Express" of 16 February 1951. This was Jean Elise, the daughter of Howard H. Taylor, and Lt. Joseph Eugene Hessom, the son of Joseph E. Hessom of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. They were married on 17 February 1951 in San Antonio, Texas.
He died in an aircraft accident in Tunisia in 1953.
"Date . Aircraft Type . Serial Number . Sqdn . Group . Home Base . AF . Action . D. Pilot . Country . US State . Location 530606 . SA-16A . 51-7146 . 58ARS . 7ARG . Wheelus Fld, Libya . ARS . KCRLEF . 4 . Hessom, Joseph E. Jr. . TUN . __ . 4mi SSE of Nebeul, Tunisia"The SA-16A is a Grumman Albatross amphibian, below.
- from AviationArchaelogy.com 1953
"Saw Comrade Killed in Rescue MissionJoseph was buried in the Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
Wheelus plane down in Tunisian mountainsDisaster came last Saturday to a rescue amphibian plane of the famous United States Air Force 7th Air Rescue Group from Wheelus Field near Tripoli when it crashed in the foothills of the Tunisian gebel while making a search for three carrier-borne aircraft missing over Tunisia.
Pilot Joseph Hesson [sic], USAF, was killed, five of his crew seriously injured and two men scrambled unhurt out of the wrecked plane which came down in deserted country some thirty miles from Tunis. When spotted from the air by other rescue craft the two unhurt men were seen to be giving first aid treatment to the survivors.
The Wheelus 58th Air Rescue Squadron was put into the air last Saturday afternoon when radio messages from the United States Aircraft Carrier Coral Sea, standing off Tunisia reported that three of her jet aircraft were believed crashed somewhere over the coast. Within five minutes Lieut. Hesson and his crew had their amphibian in the air to be followed almost immediately by a second SA-16.
. . . There was much low cloud at the time they were lost, ceiling being estimated at only 200 feet . . . a sudden radio message from this plane [Hessom's] told that an engine had failed and that an emergency landing in the hills was being attempted . . . the dead pilot had served almost three years in Libya and was due to return to the United States almost immediately on "rotation."
- from the Sunday Ghibli of 4 June 1953
Joseph Eugene Hessom Jr. had a daugter,
(27) Jodi Ann Hessom (1953), born on 12 November 1953 in San Antonio, Bexar county, Texas, the daughter of Joeseph Eugene Hessom Jr. and Jean Elise Taylor.
Of Leechburg, Arnold and New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Leechburg is 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, just beyond New Kensington, in Armstrong county. "Hessom Richard D. & Phyllis L Tru. Armstrong Road." Richard Hessom was born on 9 October 1930. I have a Richard Hessom who attended New Kensington High School from 1946 to 1950. That seems a bit late for a man born in 1930; 1932 seems more likely.
Richard's brother was John.
"Pallbearers were John and Richard Hessom and William and Charles Butler" - from the "Lebanon Daily News" of Lebanon, Pennsylvania of 29 October 1965A Master of Bethel Lodge 789 of the Freemasons in 1981. His children were,
He was born on 22 December 1951. Of Greenwood road, New Kensington, Pennsylvania. His middle name was probably Dale, a family name. Of Pittsburgh/New Kensington/Leechburg, Pennsylvania.
He joined the Air Force.
"Wichita Falls, Tex.--Airman First Class Randy D. Hessom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Hessom, Leechburg, RD 2, Pa., has graduated at Sheppard AFB, Tex., from the technical training course for U.S. Air Force communications equipment repairmen. Airman Hessom, who studied electronics fundamentals and the maintenance of specialized communications equipment, is being assigned to Suwan AB, Republic of Korea, for duty with a unit of the Air Force Communications Service. He is a 1969 graduate of Kiski Area Senior High School, Vandergrift, Pa." - from Simpson's Leader Times of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, of 6 January 1971.
"The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Opal Simpson, 1491 S. 9th, and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dale Hessom of Leechburg." - from the "Abilene Reporter-News" of 1 December 1974. Apparently they married while Randy was still stationed in Texas.
Age 57/58. A member of IBEW Local 29, Colfax Power Plant. He married Diane Albanese (Diane M. Hessom, New Kensington, 57 years old). Their children were Dale, who married Elizabeth (children Gwendolyn and Isaac Hessom), and Jackie Hessom. The obituary of Randy's father-in-law:
James S. Albanese(28) Dale Hessom (C1980)
New Kensington
James S. "Big Jim" Albanese, 81, of New Kensington, died peacefully, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, in Bel Air Nursing Home, Lower Burrell. He was born April 5, 1927, in New Kensington, a son of the late Nicola A. and Antoinette Riccardella Albanese and had been a life resident of the community. Jim had worked as a glassworker for the American St. Gobain Glass Co. in Arnold, as a steelworker for Ingles Iron Works and retired from Action Industries in the shipping and receiving department. He was an Army veteran of World War II serving as a sergeant. He was a member of Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, New Kensington, and the VFW in Lower Burrell. He enjoyed hunting and time at his camp in Sigel. He was a loyal member of the Steelers nation. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Licik Albanese, whom he married Sept. 2, 1950; two daughters, Diane (Randy) Hessom, of Allegheny Township, and Cindy (John) Martinez, of Butler; four grandchildren, Dale (Liz) and Jackie Hessom and Gina and Alyssa Martinez; three great-grandchildren, Morgan Rupert and Gwendolyn and Isaac Hessom; two brothers, Nick (Mary) Albanese and Joseph (Jean) Albanese, both of New Kensington; two sisters, Lorraine (Sam) Napoli, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Dorothy J. (Robert) Checkeye, of New Kensington. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the RUSIEWICZ OF LOWER BURRELL FUNERAL HOME, 3124 Leechburg Road at Alder Street, Lower Burrell, where prayers of transfer will be said at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by Christian Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. in Mt. St. Peter Church, New Kensington. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Lower Burrell.
Leechburg, son of Randy. Member of Allegheny Safety Consulting, as is Joe Hessom. "Hessom Dale J. Williams Road. Leechburg."
(27) Richard Allen Hessom (1953)Richard Hessom was born on 17 August 1953.
"SIMPSON-HESSOM. Diana Carol Simpson and Richard Allen Hessom were married Friday in a ceremony at First Evangelical Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Smith officiating. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Opal Simpson, 1441 S. 9th, and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dale Hessom of Leechburg, Pa . . . Bridesmaid was Joanie Hessom of Leechburg, Pa., sister of the bridegroom . . . candle bearer was Brad Hessom of Leechburg, Pa., brother of the bridegroom . . . Best man was Randy Hessom and groomsman was Terry Hessom, both of Leechburg and brother of the bridegroom." - from the Abilene Reporter-News of 1 December 1974He died on 25 November 1979 and was buried in the Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
"Hessom Terrence B. Annette. Armstrong Road." "Terence B., Brad and Annette. Of Leechburg." "Terry Hessom has recently joined Arch Aluminum & Glass as a manufacturing specialist. Prior to joining Arch he served as a plant manager at UGC's Pittsburgh facility." "My name is Terrence Hessom I go to Fairview middle school, where I play football I'm #7 and I'm goin to try out for basketball." 10 August 2011: "Officials of HHH Tempering Resources announced Aug. 10 that Terry Hessom has joined the company as an equity partner. "Terry has an impeccable track record and it will be fantastic to add him to our team," said John Haws, co-owner, in a company release. Hessom joins Haws and Keith Hunt in the ownership group of HHH. Hessom has significant industry experience, including management positions at PDC Glass & Metal, Arch Aluminum & Glass and Vitro America. He will bring to HHH in-depth knowledge of many different styles of ovens and overall production techniques, and will assist with plant flow and efficiency improvements. "The opportunity to have ownership was too excellent to pass up. I have wanted to do this for the last several years and I am thrilled that the timing worked out to allow this to happen," Hessom said, in the release."
Elizabeth Hessom, LeechburgHe was born on 6 December 1934. Of Pittsburgh, New Kensington, Apollo, and Arnold Pennsylvania. Could he be the brother of Richard, below? How is he the IV, even if you count his uncle? "Hessom John W. & Carol L. Shearsburg Road."
"Hessom Blanche L Mrs ctr PPGCo r1104 Martin avA glasscutter and restaurant owner, with his father, Joseph. "John E. Hessom, 64, of Port Neches [Texas] died Feb. 10, 2009." His obituary,
-Carol L Mrs bkpr Euwer's Inc r512 Linden av
-John W (Carol L) ctr AWGCo h512 Linden av" - from New Kensington City Directory of 1955
"John Wesley “Wes” Hessom III, 84, experienced the miracle of scripture, "absent from the body, present with the Lord" as he passed in peace on Friday, September 27, 2019. He was born in New Kensington, PA on December 16, 1934, to the late Ernestine (Kline) and Joseph Eugene Hessom. He was preceded in death by his oldest brother Joseph Hessom and his sister Gloria Hessom Martrano. Wes was the loving, generous patriarch of his family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol, who was the love of his life. Beloved father of five children, John, Jeff (Terri) Hessom, Becky (Hans) Murdock, Joe (Susan) and Jason (Nancy) Hessom, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandbabies. Wes is further survived by his brother, Richard Hessom. Wes was a graduate of Ken High school where he enjoyed playing football. He was active in the community and a member of the First Church of God in Brackenridge. Wes served on the Allegheny Township Planning Commission for more than two decades and belonged to the American Legion and Bethel Masonic Lodge 789. Known for many years as the co-owner of Hessom’s restaurant, Wes was also a talented builder and glass cutter. He worked for the American St. Gobain Glass Company until it closed. He then ran his own construction business and finished his career working alongside his son, Jason, at Valley Glass in New Kensington. Among Wes’ great loves were watching Kiski football, hunting, fishing at the family camp, and mentoring several sons in the building of their family homes. But above all, Wes was known for the sacrificial love he showed to both family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
His children were,
(27) Joseph Dale Hessom (1956), wife Susan
(27) John Wesley Hessom (1956), born on 12 October 1956. A twin of Joseph? Married Karen S. Grant on 12 October 1977 in Stanislaus county, California.
(27) Jeff Hessom, wife Terri
(27) Jason Brant Hessom (1963), wife Nancy
(27) Rebecca Hessom, husband Hans Murdock
He was born on 12 October 1956 in Pennsylvania. "Hessom Joseph Dale & Susan Marie. Frederick Drive. Rochester, NY; Apollo, PA." "When my grandmother was in St. Francis Hospital, located in Lawrenceville (now Pittsburgh), when I was young, (my grandfather BF Hessom's Grandson) looked out my grandmother's room's window in the and pointed at Allegheny Cemetary and told me he had many relatives buried there and that at one time there were numerous Hessom's living in Lawrencville. He said when he was young he used to take a trolley to visit his uncle Ben. Any information, especially documentation would be greatly apprecated." - from Joe Hessom, Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, PA.
Is this the Joe Hessom of Allegheny Safety Consulting?
"After almost 20 years in the steel industry, Joe resigned to accept the Environmental, Health, and Safety Trainer position at a leading company in Laser Optics that is located in Western Pennsylvania. His father was a contractor and Joe worked for him during the summer from the time he was twelve and into his college years. The experience Joe gained while working for his father is considered most valuable. His education includes an MS in Safety from Indiana University of PA. He currently holds the CSP and OHST certifications.He is also a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers."I have a Joseph D. Hessom, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He is certified to remove asbestos. "His father was a contractor and Joe worked for him during the summer from the time he was twelve and into his college years." His education includes an MS in Safety from Indiana University of PA. He currently holds the CSP and OHST certifications.He is also a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. (27) Jason Brant Hessom (1963)
He owns Valley Glass and Beveling. There are a number of Safety Video's on the web under Jason's name, a link to his brother, Joe, below.
Of Penn Hills. I have a Jason E. Hessom whose wife was Angela S., of Springdale Drive. He married Angela, the daughter of Anthony Genovese and Madeline Labriola, in about 1992. She was born on 10 March 1963 in Pittsburgh. Her obituary:
Angela S. Hessom, 44, of Penn Hills, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, in Magee-Womens Hospital, Oakland, after a lengthy and courageous battle with her illness. She was born March 10, 1963, in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Anthony and Madeline (Labriola) Genovese, and had lived in Penn Hills all of her life. She was employed by Glarner Associates in New Kensington. She graduated from St. Bartholomew High School, Penn Hills, and Duquesne University. She was a member of Church of God, Brackenridge. Her hobby was raising Boston Terriers. She also enjoyed fishing. She is survived by her husband of 15 years, Jason Hessom; a daughter, Jessica, and two sons, Jason Jr. and Justin Hessom, all at home; 12 cousins; three uncles; and two aunts. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the FRANK F. GIGLER FUNERAL HOME, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the chapel at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, with Pastor Hans Murdock and Pastor Rick Gamble co-officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell." - from "The Valley News Dispatch," of Tarentum, PennsylvaniaAngela was buried at the Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
I have a Jason Brant Hessom who married Angela Lynn, the daughter of William Robert Stinchcomb II and Peggy Lynn Miller. Angela Lynn, of La Mesa & San Diego, California, and Bryan, Texas, is a school teacher at Farb Middle School in San Diego.
Their children were,
(28) Jessica Hessom
(28) Jason Hessom Jr. (c1980)
(28) Justin
(28) Colin Brant Hessom
I have a Jessica Hessom, Chemist at Bio-Rad Laboratories in Orange county, California. A graduate of Cal State Fullerton. This looks more like a Hessom of Barstow. I also have a Jessica L. Hessom Waugh.
(28) Jason Hessom Jr. (c1980)I have a Jason Hessom, "Wrestler, Accountant and Overall Good Guy who resides in Pennsylvania," per his website. A Justin Hessom married Christiana Freed on 12 August 2009.
(25) Homer Hessom (1905)In the 1910 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Homer Hessom, 5, living at home with his parents, John and Clara Hessom. In the 1920 census of of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Homer Hessom, a 16 year old "block helper" in a Glass works. He was living at home with his parents.
I believe Homer died in 1921 and was buried in the Mounty Airy cemetery.
Of the Allegheny Plate Glass Company. He was born on 4 February 1881 in East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His marriage certificate indicates he was born in Hite, a village in East Deer township. His middle name honors his father's employer.
In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William M. Hessom, a 19 year old teamster. He was at home, living with his parents, Benjamin and Anna M. Hessom.
William married Laura May Wolf on 5 June 1901 in Mahoning county, Ohio. His parents were B.F. Hessom and Annie Melaffy [sic]. Laura had been born in 1883 in Adaville, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Dee Wolf and Sarah Anthony.
In the 1910 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William Hissom [sic], 29. Living with him were his wife, Laura, 26, and children, William, 6, Myrtle May, 5, and Valjean, new born.
Laura died in 1918. Her tombstone inscription reads: "Laura M. HESSOM 1883 - 1918." William then married Maria C. Ragano. This was the second marriage for Maria. Her first husband was Michael Angelo Bonacci (1881-1916).
In the 1920 census of Arnold, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as William Mck Hessom, a 38 year old glass cutter. Living with him was his wife, Mary, 29, and children, William, a 17 year old book keper in a window glass workshop, Myrtle, 16, Valgean, 11, Clare, 9, and Madeline, 7. They had a house keeper, Jennie Fruitt, 54. Mary's parents were Italian.
Mary had four sons by her first marriage, Ralph Paul, Michael Edward, John and Albert Lee. They were, in 1920, wards of the "Mooseheart Child City & School," an orphanage in Batavia township, Kane county, Illinois. The orphanage was under the auspices of the Loyal Order of the Moose, a fraternal organization, which explains the name. All the Bonacci boys were of Pennsylvania. Their father was from Italy and their mother was Italian, meaning I suppose that she was of Italian extraction, which is what we would suspect of Mary. Apparently the boys had been left in the orphanage until Mary's new husband could afford to support them.
The family moved to Charleston, West Virginia in about 1926.
In the 1930 census Chareston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as William M. Hessom, a 49 year old cutter in a sheet glass company. Living with him was his wife, Mary C., 39, and children, Claire D., a 19 year old cutter in a sheet glass company, Madelyn R., 17, Bernice M., 9, and Francis O., 7. Also living with the family were stepsons, Michael Bonacci, a 19 year old apprentice in a sheet glass company, John Bonacci, 16, and Albert Bonacci, 13. In this census Mary's parents were shown as being of Pennsylvania.
At some point Ralph, Michael and Albert Bonacci assumed the Hessom surname. John appears to have never done so.
Members of the family were listed in Charleston city directories in 1944 and 1946.
"Hessom David C (Alma C) glasctr h4917 Venable av (SE)
-Frances O clk r5506 Virginia av (SE)
-Wm McK (Mary C) h5506 Virginia av (SE)
Hessome Gurley (Margt) lab h227 Goshorn" - from "Polk's Charleston (Kanawha County, W.Va.) City Directory" of 1944.
"Hessom Albert (Mary E) clk Columbian Carbon Co r210a 2d (SE)Who was Eleanorr L. Hessom?
-David C (Alma) glasctr h4917 Venable av (SE)
-Eleanor L sten County Probation Office r230 2d av (SE)
-Frances O clk r5506 Virginia av (SE)
-Wm McK (Mary C) h5506 jailer City Jail r5506 Virginia av (SE)" - from "Polk's Charleston (Kanawha County, W.Va.) City Directory" of 1946.
William McKelvy Hessom, aged 67, the son of Benjamin F. Hessom and Maria Mchaffy [sic], died on 21 January 1949 in Kanawha, West Virginia of an acute coronary thrombosis. He was a retired glasscutter. His tombstone inscription reads: "William M. HESSOM 1881 - 1948." He was buried along with his first wife in plot F4 of the Prospect Cemetery, Brackenridge, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, next to William's father, Benjamin F. Hessom. What happened to Mary?
I believe their children were,
(25) William L. Hessom (1903)
(25) Myrtle Mae Hessom (1904), born 8 December 1904, married Raymond L. Horner, died on 13 June 1957 in Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia.
(25) Ralph Paul Bonacci Hessom (1908), born on 15 May 1908 in Pittsburgh, he died on 20 May 1956 in Norfolk, Virginia
(25) Valjean Hessom (c1909), a daughter, married Albert Allport [Bennett?] in 1925 in Kanawha county, West Virginia.
(25) David Clair Hessom (1910)
(25) Michael Edward Bonacci Hessom (1911), born 23 March 1911, died 2 October 1988, of South Charleston, married Dorotha L. Cunningham in 1939, died at age 77. Daughter Stephanie who married Pierre A. Verdin IV. Daughter Pamela Jane.
(25) Madeline R. Hessom (1913), or Madelyn
"Madelyn Ruth Allenburg, 42, 1823 W. Highland Ave., San Bernardino, was killed in an automobile accident in Fontana Wednesday. A native of Pennsylvania, she had lived in San Bernardino for the past seven years. She is survived by her mother, Mary C. Hessom of. Charleston W.Va., four brothers, William L., Clair D., Michael E. and Albert L. Hessom of Charleston, and Ralph P. Hessom of Newport, Va. Also surviving is a half-brother John Bonacci of San Bernardino and four sisters, Mrs. Frank Kessler, Mrs. Myrtle Honer [Horner?], both of Charleston; and Mrs. Alfred [Albert?] Allport of Tarentum, Pa. and Mrs Bernice Walsh of Vancouver, B.C." - from the "San Bernardino Sun" of 1 May 1954(25) John Bonacci (1914), he apparently never assumed the name of his step-father, born on 15 February 1914, of San Bernardino, California, he died on 2 January 1976, at the age of 61
He was born on 16 October 1903. In the 1910 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William Hissom [sic], 6, living with his parents, William and Laura Hessom. William's mother died when he was 15. In the 1920 census of Arnold, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as William Hessom, a 17 year old book keeper in a window glass workshop. He was still living at home, with his father, William McK, and step-Mother, Mary.
He married Olive L. Holding, the daughter of Herbert W. and Cecelia Priscilla Holding, in about 1923 - from an obituary of Cecelia's death in 1973.
In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as William L. Hessom, a 26 year old cutter in a sheet glass company. Living with him was his wife, Olive L., 24, and son, Herbert L. Hessom, 4. William had been 19, and Olive 17, when they married. Both were of Pennsylvania, but Herbert had been born in West Virginia.
He died 16 October 1988 in Kanawha county, West Virginia.
His children were,
(26) Herbert L. Hessom (1926), he enlisted in the Army on 19 July 1943. He had 3 years of high school and was unmarried. He continued to live in Charleston, West Virginia. He died on 18 November 2017. His obituary,
"Herbert Laurence Hessom of Dunbar, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Thomas Memorial's Hospice House after a short illness. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Olive Hessom, and one brother, Clair; also, his friend and companion of 60 years, Katherine Hill.(26) Clair Hessom (c1930)
He joined the Army in 1943, and upon completion of his military duty, he returned home and worked at the Libby Owens Glass Plant, until he retired. He was an active member of the Elks, and other local organizations.
Herbert is survived by his aunt, Frances Kessel, and nephew, Kelly of Dunbar; sister-in-law, Delma Bonacci of Texas; and his special friend, Betty Rogers."
Not in the 1930 census. He died before 2017.
(25) David Clair Hessom (1910)Also known as Clare. David Clair Hessom, the son of William M. Hessom and Laura Wolf, was born 18 November 1910 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. In the 1920 census of Arnold, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Clare Hessom, 9, of Pennsylvania. In the 1930 census Chareston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Claire D. Hessom, a 19 year old cutter in a sheet glass company, living at home with his father, William, and stepmother, Mary.
David C. Hessom, 30, a glass cutter, the son of William M. Hessoma and Laura Wolf, married Alma [Cecil] Lane, 26, a packer in the bottling department, the daughter of Robert Lane and Jessie Goff, on 7 June 1941 in Gallia county, Ohio. The Reverend J. W. Hoyt officiated at the wedding. Alma was born on 14 May 1915 in Charleston, West Virginia.
"Hessom David C (Alma C) glasctr h4917 Venable av (SE)" - from "Polk's Charleston (Kanawha County, W.Va.) City Directory" of 1944This was Alma's second marriage. She had divorced her first husband, a Naylor. It was also David's second marriage, though there is no record of his first wife's name.
Alma died on 15 December 1959. David died on 11 February 1960 in Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia, a widower. The following information is from thge Kanawha county death record: Father - William Hessom, Mother - Laura Wolf, Glass cutter, Buried Sunset Memorial Park. His obituary,
"David Clair Hessom, of 5121 S.E., died Thursday in Kanawha Valley Hospital after a short illness.He was buried in the Sunset Memorial cemetery in South Charleston.
He had been a glass cutter for Libbey-Owens-Ford for the past 26 years, and was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Window Glass Cutters League of America, Local No. 1, and Charleston Elks Lodge.
Surviving are his stepmother, Mrs. William M. Hessom of Charleston; three sisters, Mrs. Valjean Allport of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Bernice Walsh of Vancouver, Canada and Mrs. Frances Kessel of South Charleston; and four brothers, William L. and Albert, both of Charleston, Michael E. of South Charleston and John of San Bernardino, California." - from "The Charleston Gazette" of 12 February 1960
His children were,
(26) Karen Sue Hessom (1941), was born and died on 6 December 1941, in Charleston, West Virginia
Albert Lee [Bonacci] Hessom was born on 29 January 1917. The son of William's second wife, Mary, by her first husband, Michael Angelo Bonacci.
In the 1940 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Albert L. Hessom, 23. Living with him was his wife, Mary, 19, and child, Albert L. Hessom [Jr.], 4/12. He was living in the house of Mike [?] and Madeline Gillespie, where he had lived in 1935.
Albert L. Hessom, 73, died on 25 February 1990 in Charleston, West Virginia. His obituary,
"Albert L. Hessom, 73, of Charleston, died February 25, 1990, at Memorial Division, CAMC, after a short illness.He was buried in the Sunset Memorial cemetery in South Charleston.
He was a salesman for Kelley's Mens Shop, retired from City Service Oil and Gas Co. with 38 years' service and a 1935 graduate of Charleston High School.
He was a member of Elks lodge and St. Timothy Lutheran Church, South Charleston.
Surviving: wife, Mary D. [Davis] Hessom; daughter, Sandra L. Stevens of Scott Depot; son, Albert Lee Jr. of Janesville, Wis.; sisters, Frances Kessell of South Charleston, Bernice Walsh of Pittsburgh; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren." - from "The Charleston Gazette" of 27 February 1990
His children were,
(26) Albert Lee [Bonacci] Hessom Jr. (1940), Albert L. I. I. Hessom, 34, married a Stein, 27, on 12 October 1974 iin Rock, Wisconsin, of Janesville, Wisconsin. Known as Albert L. Bonaci [?].
- (27) Allen [Bonacci] Hessom, married Michelle, of Janesville, Wisconsin, associated with,
-- (28) Leanne [Bonacci] Hessom
-- (28) Amber [Bonacci] Hessom
-- (28) Derrick [Bonacci] Hessom, a forklift operator, he is married with a baby daughter
(26) Sandra Lynn [Bonacci] Hessom, who married George W. Stevens, of Scott Depot, West Virginia
"Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lee Hessom of Wilkie Drive are announcing the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Sandra Lynn Hessom . . ." - from "The Charleston Daily Mail" of 7 February 1967(24) Homer Hessom (1884)
Homer Hessom, known as Bud, was born on 31 July 1884 in East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, the son of Benjamin and Anna M. Hessom. In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Homer Hessom, a 15 year old tin plate laborer, born in July 1884. He was living at home with his parents.
In the 1910 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Homer Hessam [sic], a 26 year old Clerk at a Plate Glass company. Living with him were his sister, Annie, 21, mother, Annie M., 63, and the family of Benjamin Corbet, 23, and his family, Mary, 24, and Francis, 2. Note that Homer's elder sister, Mary Frances Hessom married Daniel Corbet.
Homer Hessom, a 30 year old Driller, of Hite, Pa., married Adella R. Day, 27, of New Kensington, on 25 November 1914 in New Kensington. Adella was born on 4 December 1916 in Chambersburg, Pa.
Homer Hessom registered for the draft in 1917. He was a 34 year old Truck Driver for General Hauling, living at 650 Catalpa street, New Kensington, Pa. The original house on Catalpa appears to still exist, valued on Zillow at $10,890. He was of medium height and build, with brown hair and grey eyes. The "3rd finger Left hand partly gone."
In the 1920 census of New Kensington, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Homer Hessom [Hesson in Familysearch.org], a 35 year old truck driver for General Hauling. Living with him were his wife, Della, 33, and children, Homer, 4 6/12, and Ruth Mae, 2/12.
In the 1930 census of New Kensington, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Homer Hessom, 42, who "Repair Autos". Living with him were his wife, Dilla R., 42, and children, Homer, 14, Ruth M., 10, and Clyde N., 8. He was still living on Catalpa street.
He opened Hessoms Restaurant on Bouquet Hill in the old house [referred to in one citation as a mansion] of Benjamin F. Hessom. A modern day resident who had seen the old house doubts this could have been the restaurant.
He died on 10 June 1934 in [New Kensington] Lower Burrell, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His children were,
(25) Homer Hessom Jr. (c1918)
(25) Ruth Mae Hessom (1920)
(25) Clyde Noah Hessom (1921)
He married Blanche Loretta Clover. Homer died in 1948.
"State Police today were investigating the drowning of a life guard in the Mellwood Park swimming pool.Oddly, the Indiana Evening Gazette said this was Wilbert Hessom, 33, a caretaker, vice lifeguard.The body of Homer Hessom, 33 [1915], R.D. 1, New Kensington, was found near the edge of the pool, and it was believed he may have become sick and fallen in."
No one saw Hessom slip into the pool. He was fully clothed. They body was discovered late yesterday by swimmers. Mellwood Park is located on the New Kensington-Leechburg Road." - from the "Daily News" of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania for 2 September 1948
"Hessom Blanche L Mrs ctr PPGCo r1104 Martin avAfter Homer's death Blanche married Howard M. Beck.
-Carol L Mrs bkpr Euwer's Inc r512 Linden av
-John W (Carol L) ctr AWGCo h512 Linden av" - from New Kensington City Directory of 1955
"Blanche L. Beck, 87, of Allegheny Township, died February 14, 2005, in Alle-Kiski Medical Center, Harrison Township. Born February 7, 1918, in Arnold, she was a 1936 graduate of New Kensington High School (Ken-Hi), and was an Allegheny Township resident since 1960. Mrs. Beck was a member of the Arnold United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star #158, Alle-Kiski Senior Citizens and SAGA Golden Agers of the Salvation Army, all of New Kensington, and the former Macedonia Shrine #31 Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, and the Lucy Jones Amaranth #78 of Penn Hills. Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Howard M. "Pete" Beck; a son Harry Hessom of Allegheny Township; daughter Betty (Joseph) Fratangeli of Arnold; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and her caretaker Ruth "Rusty" Greenwald of Lower Burrell. Preceding her in death were her first husband Homer Hessom; parents Thomas Austin & Mary Elizabeth Stewart Clover; and her brother Howard Clover who died in 1950."Homer's children were,
Of Route 356, Allegheny township. He married Gloria Jean, the daughter of Theodore Andrew Petrosky and Helen Zarisky. She was born on 26 March 1941. She died on 29 October 2003 in Allegheny township. Her obituary:
Gloria Jean Petrosky Hessom, 62, of Allegheny Township, died Wednesday (Oct. 29, 2003) in Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison. Born March 26, 1941, in New Kensington, she lived there from 1962 until moving to Allegheny Township in 1980. She was a 1959 graduate of Plum High School. Mrs. Hessom had been a school bus driver for the W. L. Roenigk Transportation Company, Allegheny Township, since 1989. She volunteered in various capacities with the Top Hats Marching Band and Kiski Band Boosters.She was buried in the Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Harry C. Hessom; two sons, Harry R. Hessom of Washington Township and Patrick L. Hessom of New Kensington; two daughters, Mrs. Jennifer L. (Jeremy) Varhola and Kristine M. Hessom, both of Allegheny Township; her father, Theodore Petrosky of Plum; two brothers, Theodore (Dorothy) Petrosky of Plum and Michael Petrosky of Schenley; and a sister, Audrey Neff of Plum. She also is survived by four grandchildren, Michael and Adrianna Hessom and Justine and Janelle Varhola.
I have a Harry Clover Hessom who married a Beverly Pearlman. It was her second marriage, having first married Frank Torok.
"Harry Hessom, 62, of Allegheny Township" is mentioned in a news article of 22 April 2003.
Their children were,
(27) Harry Richard Hessom (c1962)
Harry Hessom, Valley High School, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, 1976-1980. Also as Harry Hessom of Leechburg - his children were,
-- (28) Michael Hessom
-- (28) Adrianna Hessom.
(27) Jennifer Hessom
She married Jeremy Varhola.
(27) Kristine M. HessomOf New Kensington. Kiski Area High School, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.
(25) Ruth Hessom (c1922)She married a man named Large. I want to think of her as "a small woman named Large."
(25) Clyde Noah Hessom (1921)C. Hessom was born on 22 May 1921 in Pennsylvania. Of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He married Jane Evelyn Farmery. He served in the Marine Corps, probably in WWII.
"Hello, My name is M. Roxanne Hessom, I believe my fathers father was Homer Hessom. My father was Clyde Noah Hessom, he had a brother named Homer, a sister named Ruth (Hessom) Large. He was from New Kensington Pa. My father C.N. Hessom had four children we were all born in California. Could this be my relations? Thank You for any help.At some point he moved to California. In August 1976 they lived behind the Naugle's fast food restaurant at 630 West Main street in San Bernardino. Roxanne now lives in Barstow, California.
M.Roxanne Hessom e-mail roxiehessom@aol.com"
I can't quite make out what the labor dispute, below, was about, but it is clear that Clyde worked for the railroard from 28 March 1947 to 10 July 1970, a period of 23 years. I believe he was a Switchman.
"National Railroad Adjustment Board
PARTIES TO DISPUTE:
CLYDE NOAH HESSOM, Petitioner
THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY (Coast Lines)
DISPUTE: CLAIM OF EMPLOYES: The question upon which the award is desired against the AT&SF Railroad is, . . ." - page 6239
"Position of Carrier: It is initially the carrier's position that this claim has no standing since it was not properly handled through the established order of appeal on the property and is, therefore, outlawed under the tune limit rule in effect on this property. . . . " - page 6241
"Carrier's Statement of Facts: Machinists on this property are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aeropace Workers. So far as the Carrier is aware, CN Hessom has no official capacity with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, but is before the Board as an individual." - page 6241
"Claimant Hessom entered the service of this Company March 28, 1947 as a Machinist at Barstow and established seniority on that date. On July 8, 1970, Mr. Hessom submitted his written resignation to Superintendent White of Barstow shops, to be effective July 10, 1970. Carrier has had no dealings with Mr. Hessom since the date of his resignation." - page 6241
". . . carriers Assistant to Vice President-Personnel, who is the carrier's highest officer of appeal, within 60 days following the decision of the General Manager. As shown in Carrier's Statement of Facts, the carrier has had no dealings with Claimant Hessom since he submitted his resignation on July 8, 1970 . . . " - page 6242
It is abundantly clear that Mr. Hessom's statement to the Board, which is quoted above, is entirely incorrect. For the reasons stated herein, the Carrier respectfully submits that the claim should be either . . ." - page 6244
- from "Awards of the Second Division, National Railroad Adjustment Board"
Clyde died on 9 March 1989 and was buried in the Riverside National cemetery.
Hessom . . Clyde . . N . . 05/22/1921 . . 03/09/1989 . . US Marine CorpsClyde's wife, Mary, died in 2011. Was this a second marriage?
"Mary E. Hessom, 88, of Barstow, passed away Jan. 30, 2011. Mary was born in Elgin, Ill., on June 23, 1922. She attended Needles High School and graduated in 1940. At the time of her passing, she had been a resident of Barstow for 70 years. Mary is survived by her children, William Young [child of a first marriage?], Clyde D. Hessom, Jennifer Kinsey and M. Roxanne Hessom; grandchildren, Jason Hessom, Tony Hessom, Troy Hessom, Kim Hessom Ream, Clyde M. Hessom and Eric Hessom; great-grandchildren, Canin Hessom, Chloe Hessom, Derek Hessom, Cayla Hessom, Zach Ream, Hannah Ream, Tanner Hessom, Parker Hessom and Mary Olivia Hessom.
His children were,
(26) John Edward Hessom (1944)
(26) William G. Hessom (c1945)
(26) Clyde Dennis Hessom (c1947)
(26) Jennifer Dell Hessom, of San Bernardino. She married Bruce Kinsey in Nevada and later divorced William B. Kinsey in San Bernardino, California.
(26) Margaret Roxanne Hessom (c1954), of San Bernardino
Of New Kensington. He was born on 12 May 1944, the son of Clyde, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania [or California, per Roxanne Heesom]. He married Helen Ruth Freeman on 30 March 1996 in Nederland, Jefferson county, Texas. Helen was born on 4 June 1936, the daughter of William Roy Freeman, in Wirt, Carter county, Oklahoma. This was her second marriage.
John owned E Z N Ramps in Nederland, Texas, a retail home furnishing company. John and Helen appear to have been members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, a motorcycle club.
"John E. Hessom, 64, of Port Neches died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009." His obituary:
"John, of Nederland, Texas formerly of New Kingston, Pennsylvania passed away surrounded by his family. He was a member of Seventh Street Baptist Church in Nederland, the Christian Motorcycle Association, Gold Wing Club, and Bill Glass Prison Ministry. He served in the Vietnam War as a core man [corpsman] in the Navy and Marines. He worked for Seimans-Westinghouse for 30 years as a quality engineer. He was the husband of Helen Hessom; father of Shari Roman and husband Chuck; step-father of Marcia Solis and husband Robert, Pam Haley, Donna Sullivan and husband Stephen and Rhonda Melancon and husband Zayne; grandfather of Nichlos, Lindsey, and Anthony Roman; step-grandfather of Bobby Solis, Kim Heinz and husband Josh, Jesse Askew, Brooke Gresham and husband Josh, Michael and Spencer Haley and Sonnie and Macey Sullivan; step-great-grandfather of Madisyn and Allisyn Gresham. He was the brother of Jimmy Culp and wife Carrie, Timmy Culp, and Billy Culp; and brother of Gladie Bash and husband Mike."Another obituary includes more information.
"John Edward Hessom, 64, formerly of New Kensington, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at his home in Nederland, Texas, after a year long courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 12, 1944, in New Kensington, and lived in the New Kensington-Vandergrift-Apollo area most of his life. He was a graduate of Washington Township High School, where he was a member of the varsity football team as a kicker, and Robert Morris College, with a degree in business administration. After high school, he joined the Navy and was a core man [corpsman] in the Vietnam War, taking care of injured Marines. He worked for Numec-Apollo plant for eight years before transferring to Seimens-Westinghouse, where he was a quality assurance engineer for the last 30 years. He relocated with Seimens-Westinghouse in 1994 and moved to the Beaumont, Texas, area. He was a member of the Seventh Street Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas, the Christian Motorcycle Association, where he served as president for two years, the Gold Wing Club and the Bill Glass Prison Ministries. He enjoyed going to flea markets and was also a very dedicated and loyal Pittsburgh Steelers fan after having tried out for the team as a kicker. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jane (Farmery) Culp; and stepfather, James Culp. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Helen Hessom, of Nederland, Texas; a daughter, Shari (Charles) Roman, of Lower Burrell; four stepdaughters, Marcia (Robert) Solis, Rhonda (Zayne) Melancon, Pam Haley and Donna (Stephen) Sullivan, and eight stepgrandchildren, all of Texas; three brothers, Jim (Carrie) Culp, Timothy Culp and William (Margie) Culp; one sister, Gladys (Michael) Bash, all of Apollo; a cousin, Colleen Gawne, of Salina; three grandchildren, Nicholas, Lindsay and Anthony Roman, of Lower Burrell; five nieces, Janie (Michael) Fryer, Terry Bash, Christy Bash, Janie Culp and Lisa Culp; two nephews, Timothy Culp and William Culp, all of Apollo; and his ex-wife of 27 years, Barbara Hessom, of New Kensington, and her mother, Millie Nawotka, of Arnold. Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, in Heritage Funeral Home, Nederland, Texas, and a memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at the burial site in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Healtdon, Okla."He was buried at Mount Olive Cemetery, Healdton, Carter county, Oklahoma.
Their daughter was Shari. Other children may have included Barbara L. and Helen R. (Porterfield).
(26) William G. Hessom (c1945)He married Lelia Jane Pool[e], the daughter of Robert Pool and Helen Sholar. They had two children, including a son, Tony. - from "Dawsons in the Revolution (and Their Descendents)" by Carol Ruth Anderson Dawson. Did that researcher mean Troy? They divorced at an unknown date.
"William G. Hessom, carman apprentice, transferred from Barstow to San Bernardino shop." - from "The Santa Fe Magazine"
(27) William Troy Hessom (1962)William T. Hessom was born on 16 November 1962 in San Bernardino, California. His mother's maiden name was Poole. This appears to make him a son of William G. Hessom and Lelia Poole.
From 1990 to 2002 William Troy Hessom was residing in Lancaster, California. Now of Temecula, California. His wife appears to be Marie B. Kmetz [Metz?]. I have a Troy Hessom who attended high school in Barstow, California, class of 1978 [seems bit young].
(27) Anthony Paul Hessom (c1967)Anthony P. Hessom was born in San Bernardino. Of Chino and Poway. Sales manager, Linc Lighting & Electrical of San Diego, California. May be part of JG Electric of Poway now. A grandson of James R. Poole. Julia A. [Hampton?] is his wife; a thespian.
His children,
- (28) Derek Graham Hessom (c1995), a wrestler, of Poway. A black belt. Cayla Elise Hessom is his daughter, I think.
There is a Hessom Vending Company located in Fletcher Hills, a suburb of San Diego.
(26) Clyde Dennis Hessom (c1947)Of San Bernardino and, perhaps later, of Spokane, Washington. He married Mary Phillips. I also have a Clyde D. Hessom who married Betty Frisby in Nevada.
I think his children were,
(27) Jason Hessom (c1974)
- I also have a Jason Hessom of San Diego, California. A safety industry professional. A graduate of San Diego State University, 1994-1996. Regional Claims Manager at Starwood Hotels & Resorts for the Greater San Diego area. He appears to be a Certified Impairment Rater, whatever that means.
(27) Tony Hessom.
- Sr. Account Executive at Fluorexco Lighting of San Diego.
(27) Troy Hessom
(27) Kim Hessom, she married a Ream
(27) Clyde M. Hessom (c1971), of San Diego, California.
(27) Eric Dennis Hessom (c1975), below
Of Victorville, California. Eric D. Hessom was born on 27 January 1974 in San Bernardino, California. Perhaps married to Rebecca Hessom of Victorville. This Eric is 3 years older than the Eric Robert Hessom of Cortez, Colorado, above. I show him currently living in Fort Mohave, Arizona. The latter town is on the Colarado river, just north of Needles. Previously he lived in Apple Valley, Barstow and Victorville, California.
(26) Margaret Roxanne Hessom (c1954)She attended Barstow High School from 1968 to 1972. She married Jimmy Lawrence Kirby in Clark county, Nevada.
(24) Walter Allen Hessom (1886)Walter Hessom was born on 23 [28] August 1886 in Hites, East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania.
In the 1900 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Walter Hessom.
In the 1910 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Walter Hessom, 23. His wife was Marie T. Hessom. This was Marie Theresa Oehm. Marie, the dauguther of Christian Oehm and Mary Heinke, was born on 18 June 1887 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was the daugther of Christian Oehm and Mary Henke. It appears the two married in 1910.
In the 1920 census of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Walter Hessom, 33. Living with him was his wife [?], Rose, 32, and children, Norma M., 11, Dorothy R., 9, and Helena H., 5, all born in Pennsylvania. Rose's parents had come from Germany, though she was born in Pennsylvania.
Between 1924 and 1930, Walter moved his family to to Charleston, West Virginia where he was employed as a glasscutter.
In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Walter Hessom, a 42 year old Cutter at a window glass company. Living with him were his wife, Marie T., 42, and children, Dorothy R., a 19 year old clerk at the telephone company, Helene H., 16, and Eleanor L., 6 7/12, all born in Pennsylvania. Walter and Marie had been married for 20 years.
In the 1940 census . . .
Walter Hessom, the son of Benjamin Hessom and Anne Marie Malaffey, died of a coronary on 24 June 1941 in Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia. He was a glasscutter, buried in the Cunningham Memorial Park cemetery in South Albans, Kanawha county, West Virginia.
Marie T. Hessom, of Charleston, West Virginia died in a car accident on 14 June 1963, a 75 year old retired clerk and widow.
Their children were,
(25) Norma M. Hessom (1909), I believe she married John B. Molle
(25) Dorothy R. Hessom (1911)
(25) Helena Henrietta Hessom (1914), born 23 January 1914 in Tarentum, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania; she married Walter Evans; died onn 13 February 2003 at the age of 89
(25) Eleanor Louise Hessom (1924), she, 25, married John William Richman, a divorced man aged 32, on 1 June 1949
Or Hissom. Per the LDS database he was born on 4 February 1840 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of David Hessom and Elizabeth Hartman. His middle name may be Hartman, for his mother's family. Interestingly, (22) John Hissem (1804), a son of Thomas Hissom, married Elizabeth Welker, the daughter of Jacob Welker and Rosana Hartman, of Westmoreland county. They became the Hysham family of Iowa/Wyoming/California. Could these two Hartman women be related?
In the 1850 census . . . Charles' parents, David and Elizabeth, were dead by 1850. His elder siblings, Ann Eliza and George, were just 17, Ben was 14; Charles was just 10 years old. Would someone have taken them in? These were hard times and they may have had to make it on their own. I suspect they would have avoided an orphanage if at all possible.
| Early Pittsburgh Orphanages
Pittsburgh's first almshouse was established in 1818. It sheltered the insane, the physically handicapped, and indigent adults and children. Gradually concerns for the separate and better treatment of children developed. The first orphanage was the Protestant Orphan Asylum of Pittsburgh and Allegheny founded in 1832. It was located in Allegheny City, now the town's North Side. The growth of religious and non-sectarian orphanages proliferated and by 1850 there were nine such institutions in Pennsylvania. The conditions in many of these places were appalling. Though often portrayed in the media of the time as dwellings where happy, red-cheeked children played, the reality was sadly the opposite. Constantly under-funded, these institutions were mostly understaffed and overcrowded. The children were too frequently unsupervised. They were poorly fed and many suffered from malnutrition. |
Charles married Harriet Ann Evans/Williams in about 1858.
In the 1860 census of Pittsburgh, Ward 9, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom, a 20 year old driver of a team, born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Harriet, 25, born in England, David J., 1, born in Pittsburgh, and a servant, Robert Kelly, a 12 year old [garbled] house boy.
"Hessun Benj., teamster, Penn n Morris
Hessun Charles. teamster, Penn n Morris" - from the "Pittsburgh Directory" by R.L. Polk & Company ot 1861
Charles Hessom enlisted in the U.S. Army on 24 April 1861 in Nazareth, at the age of 22. He had black hair and black eyes, and was 5 foot 11 inches tall (a big man for that era) - from the U.S. Army Register of Enlistments. Charles served in the Union Army, first as a Private in Company E of the 8th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, otherwise known as the 37th Pennsylvania Volunteers.
"Expenditures of the Commonwealth . . . Military Claims . . .Company E of the 8th regiment had been recruited in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Charles was also noted as being in the 37th Infantry Regiment, as the 8th was also known. The company was commanded by John Duncan.
"Charles H. Hissom, for services as private, company E, Eighth regiment Pennsylvania Reserve volunteers . . .
$9 16" - from the "Report of the Auditor General on the Finances of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" 1893
| Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry (37th Volunteers)
The Eighth Reserve Regiment was formed at Camp Wright, twelve miles above Pittsburgh, from companies recruited for the three months' service. However they were not accepted into service on those terms. Early in June these companies were selected to form a new Eighth Regiment and were ordered to Camp Wilkins, near Pittsburgh. On 28 June it was organized under the command of Colonel George S. Hays. "It numbers eight hundred and ninety men, armed with rifles and muskets of improved patterns. An officer is out recruiting for it. The men are well equipped and well drilled."The unit fought in line with the Army of the Potomac in the 1st Brigade of the 2nd Division, I Corps. In May 1862 the division became the 3rd Division, V Corps. It later joined the Army of Virginia as part of III Corps. The regiment's battles included Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, and Antietam, fought in September 1862. See 8th Pennsylvania Reserves for an extensive history of the unit. |
Charles later transferred to Company E of the 6th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army; he was probably tired of walking by that time.
"Name: Charles H. Hessom, rank: Private, date of muster into service: April 24, 1861, term: 3 years, remarks: Transferred to 6th U.S. Cavalary, October 29, 1862" - from www.Pa-Roots.com, also in the "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5" by Samuel P. BatesThis unit had been formed 14 months earlier as part of the Army of the Potomac. They fought in the Penisula campaign all the way to Appomatax.
| 6th Cavalry Regiment
The 3rd US Cavalry Regiment was organized on 3 May 1861 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was commanded by Colonel David Hunter. The Regiment's designation was changed to the 6th U.S. Cavalry on 10 August 1861. Arriving in Alexandria, Virginia on 2 September 1862, the 6th was in near constant contact with the Confederates for three months and engaging in skirmishes such as those at Falls Church, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middletown, and Charleston. The regiment marched to the Rappahannock River on 24 November and remained in the vicinity until the men marched on Fredericksburg, Virginia on 12 December. See 6th U. S. Cavalry Regimental History for the unit's history. |
The following is from another muster roll of the 8th infantry that mentions Charles' transfer to the cavalry.
"Roll of company E, commanded by Captain William Brooks, originally commanded by Captain E.P. ShoenbergerI don't know when Charles left the 6th cavalry.
. . .
Hessom, Charles H j cavalry"
[j=detached] - from "History of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps"
I see Charles in Company A of the 51st Illinois Infantry. How did he get there? They fought in the west, so a straight transfer from the Army of the Potomac seems unlikely. Apparently Charles was drafted into the 51st, so how did he get out of the 6th cavalry to be in a position to be drafted? The unit had been badly mauled at the Battle of Fairfield early in 1863. Perhaps Charles had been injured and discharged.
"Hesson, Charles H . . . D&S Recruit . . . Sep 28, 1864 . . . Mustered out Jun 16, 1865"D&S Recruit means Drafted or Substitute Recruit.
| 51st Illinois Infantry
During Charles' short time in the 51st it was part of the Army of the Cumberland, under General Sherman. On 28 September 1864 the regiment was in Chattanooga, "here 192 drafted men joined the Regiment." On 16 June 1865 the unit was in Johnsonville, Tennessee, getting ready to embark for New Orleans, when Charles was discharged - from the Regimental History. |
Charles was soon back in Pittsburgh. In the 1867-68 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom C. H. teamster, Hatche's row, Morton"I haven't been able to find Hatche's row.
In the 1870 census of of Pittsburgh, Ward 18, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as C. Hessum [very clearly spelled with a "u"], a 30 year old teamster. Living with him were his wife, H., 36, of England, and daughter, Ida, 10 months, born in September 1869, also of England. I wonder if this latter notation is a mistake? The census says that while Ida's mother was of foreign birth, her father was not.
In the 1873 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Chas., teamster, 47 Mary, M"
"Dissolution
The firm of C. H. Hessom & Co., dealers in Breeze or Blacksmith's Coke, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. C. H. Hessom agrees to pay all debts of the late firm which were incurred prior to October 9, 1872. Wm. Moyle assumes those of later date. The business will hereafter be continued by Wm. Moyle of Sharpsburg, Pa. Orders may be left at James' Real Estate Office corner Thirty-third street and Penn avenue." - from the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette of 25 November 1873.
a J. B. Hessom was listed as the Secretary of the Colfax district Twenty-Second ward, School Board. - from the Pittsbugh Daily Commercial of 20 January 1875. I suspect this was a misprint for J. H. Hessom.
C. H. Hessom was Treasurer of the Lawrenceville Colonization Society. The intent of this group was to emigrate as a group to some western state, preferably Oregon - from the Pittsburgh Daily Post of 3 October 1877. The organization was based on the similar Allegheny Advance Colonization Society.
In the 1880 census of Millvale, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom [Hessern in Ancestry.com], a 40 year old teamster. He claimed that both of his parents were from Germany. Living with him was his wife, Harriet, 45, of England, and children, Ida E., 10, and Charles H., 8.
In the 1881 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Chas, teamster, 18 River av, Millvale"In the 1884 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Chas H, teamster, h Herrs Island, A"Herrs island is in the Allegheny river just below Lawrenceville. In the 1885 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Chas H, teamster, Commerce, n Canton"
On 25 March 1889 Charles H. Hesson [sic], an invalid, received a pension for his service in the "37 Pa Inf," the old 8th Pennsylvania Infantry Reserve.
In the 1890 Veterans Schedule of the census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom, Private, company E, 8th regiment, Pa reserves, enlisted April 1861, discharged 1864, served 3 years. His disability was "Piles and Asthma." In other pension documents this unit was referred to, parenthetically, as the 37th Volunteers.
Charles H. Hessom received a pension for his service in the Company A of the 51st Infantry regiment, dated 10 June 1891. This was also a unit that had fought in the west.
Charles H. Hessom died on 5 June 1892.
"Hessom--On Sunday, June 5, 1892, at 12:15 A. M., at his residence, Springdale, Pa., Charles H. Hessom, aged 52 years and 5 months.In another article in the same newspaper he was noted to be an "aged soldier." Charles had been walking on the railroad tracks when he was hit by a train. The extreme left hand side of this article is cut off and I've interpolated the missing data.
Friends will please meet the 1:15 P. M. train at Bennett Station, West Penn R. R., Monday, June 6. Internment at Allegheny Cemetery, at 2 P. M." - from the "Pittsburg Dispatch" of 6 June 1892
"[Acting] Coroner's Clerk Grant Miller held an in[qu]est yesterday on the body of the farmer, [C.] H. Hessom, who died on Sunday from [inj]uries received on Friday by being hit by [an] engine on the Pittsburg and Western [Ra]ilroad near Creighton. Hessom was 56 [yea]rs of age and lived three miles back in [] country from Hites Run. Last Friday [he] was walking on the track at Creighton [] was hit by an engine which he paid no [att]ention to when warned by a whistle. He [die]d from his injuries on Sunday and a ver-[dic]t of accidental death was rendered. The [eng]ineer of the locomotive had been on the [railroa]d 19 years and this was his first accident." - from "The Pittsburgh Dispatch" of 8 June 1892Charles was buried in Allegheny cemetary, Sec 33 GAR [Grand Army of the Potomac], in Pittsburgh.
HESSON, Charles H, Section: 33, Lot: 232, Grave: 14, Death: 1892 - from the Allegheny CemeteryThe type written card that contained this information indicated that Charles was discharged from Company A of the 8th Illinois Volunteers on 17 June 1865 with the rank of Private - from Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards. I assume this was a confused modern interpretation.
Harriet A. Hessom, the widow of Charles H. Hessom, received a pension for her husband's service in the Company A, 51st Illinois Infantry regiment, dated 12 June 1898.
Harriet Hesson, widow of Charles, was living at 125 South 17th street in Pittsburgh according to the city directory of 1899-1900. Living at the same address was her son, Charles H. Hessom, driver [teamster]. Her brother-in-law, Benjamin, was in the same directory, living in Aspinwall.
In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania Charles' widow, Harriet A. Hessom, a 65 year old widow, was living with her son, Charles Jr. Harriet was born in August 1834, in England, as were her parents. She had 7 children [?], of whom 2 were still living.
In the 1910 census of Ward 10, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Harriet Hessom, 75. She was living with her son, Charles H. Hessom, 38.
Harriet A. Hessom, Army Widow of Charles H. Hessom, a Private A Company 51st Illinois Infantry, died on 15 May 1915 - from Veterans Administration Pension Payment Card. I received an email from Deb Parker in November 2017 that shows that Harriet Hessom was buried on 18 May 1915 in the Allegheny cemetery.
"Hi Steve,
I ran across something that may shed some light on where David and Elizabeth Hessom were buried. While looking for information on my 4th great grandfather William Norman. He was [the father of] Martha Hessom (wife of Benjamin). I came across the attached. I'd like to hear your opinion. I am thinking that they were reburied after being moved from the Lawrenceville/Washington Burial Grounds."
In a second email Deb wrote,
"Yes Martha was William's daughter and Benjamin Franklin's first wife. I actually found the picture on Find a grave when I was looking for William Norman's grave. A man by the name of Richard Boyer added it to the site. I've emailed him and have not heard back.After a little thought, I don't think this was (22) David Hessom and his wife, though I believe it is definitely our Harriett. However, I suspect the others are more recent burials. The following is a list of all the family members in the Allegheny cemetery. There are no tombstone photographs for any of these.
Your website gave me the clues with the 1860 census showing Benjamin with Martha and his mother in law. My great grandmother was Martha E. Hessom [the daughter of John Wesley Baker Hessom] she married Hector Jesse Molet. Long story short their son Hector was my grandad and I was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. I'm just confused on the dates of burial and the 3 bodies in one grave. David J. for John maybe after his dad. Harriet was married to Ben's brother Charles. Any insight from you is appreciated. Grammy (always said her great great grandfather fought in revolution
And her dad, granpap Hessom was named for him John Wesley Baker Hessom) I wondered where the Baker came from? Elizabeths married name and his dad's step brothers?
Thank you for all your hard work on our family and your willingness to share with the rest of us.
Deb Parker"
Hesson, Harriet, Section 29, Lot: 270, Grave 1, Unknown - 1915 [wife of Charles H. Hessom]I believe by what we see in Section 29, Lot: 270 is a mother, Harriet, buried together with her infant children, the two deaths in 1868 being of a contagious nature. I suspect David's surname simply a mistranscription. And, I'm going to go as far to say Lot:210 for Marietta is a typo [well, it could be]. But who was Lafayette K. Bishop that he gets buried with Harriett's children? Was this just a space saving method? This appears to be an infant child of Lafayette and Elizabeth Bishop.
Hassem, David, Section 29, Lot: 270, Grave 1, Unknown - 1862
Hesson, Marietta, Secion 29, Lot: 210, Grave 1, Unknown - 1868
Hessom, Elizabeth, Section 29, Lot: 270, Grave 1, Unknown - 1868
Hessom, Elmer M., Section 30, Lot: 22, Grave 1, Unknown - 1895a [child of BF Hessom Jr.]
Hesson, Martha E., Section 32, Lot: SP, Grave 923, Unknown - 1879 [Martha E. Norman, wife of BF Hessom Sr. The latter buried at Prospect cemetery with 2nd wife, Annie.]
Hessom, PVT Charles H., Section 33, Lot: 232, 14, 1840 - 5 June 1892 [son of David Hessom]
Hessom, Benjamin Franklin Jr., Section 38, Lot: 695, 26 Apr 1865 - 29 March 1937
Hessom, Elizabeth, Section 38, Lot: 696, Unknown - 15 August 1936 [his wife]
Charles and Harriet's children were,
(24) David J. Hessom (1859), died on 5 June 1862 in Pittsburgh [as David Hassem in FindAGrave.com]
(24) Elizabeth Hessom (c1860-1867), died on 4 July 1868 in Pittsburgh
(24) Marietta Hessom (c1860-1867), died in 1868 in Pittsburgh
(24) Ida Emma Hessom (1869), born in September 1868, she married Alfred W. Speer in 1890. In 1900 they lived in East Deer township, Allegheny county. Later they lived in Arnold, in Westmoreland county, as did so many of the Hessom family.
(24) Charles H. Hessom Jr. (1872)
. . . and presumably two others who predeased their mother
He was born in February 1872, the son of [Charles and] Harriet A. Hessom. Charles married Maude circa 1894.
Harriet Hesson [sic], widow of Charles, was living at 125 South 17th street in Pittsburgh according to the city directory of 1899-1900. Living at the same address was her son, Charles H. Hessom, driver [teamster]. Her brother-in-law, Benjamin, was in the same directory, living in Aspinwall.
In the 1893 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Chas, lab, Butler, n Fifty-seventh"
Charles married Maud [Cleeves?] in about 1894.
In the 1897 City Directory of Pittsburgh as,
"Hessom Chas H, driver, 1402 Breed"Breed street is in the South Side Flats portion of Pittsburgh, south of the Monogahela river. In 1899 as,
"Hessom Charles H, driver, h 125 s 17th"
In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom, a 28 year old oil retailer, born in February 1872. Living with him were his wife, Maud E., 22, born in December 1878, sons, Charles, 4, born in July 1895, and William, 2 months, born in March 1900. All were born in Pennsylvania. Also living with them was Charles' mother, Harriet A., a 65 year old widow, born in England, in August 1834. Harriet had borne 7 children, two of whom were then still living. Charles' father had been born in Pennsylvania. The family was living as near neighbors of Charles' cousin, Benjamin. Charles and Maud had been married for 6 years.
In the 1910 census of Ward 10, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom, a 38 year old teamster of a wagon. Living with him were his wife, Maude, 35 (c1875), children Charles, 14 (c1896), and William, 10 (c1900), and his mother, Harriet, 75 (c1835). Harriet was born in England, all the others were born in Pennsylvania. Charles and Maude had been married 15 years and had two children, both living.
"71126 Charles H. Hessom, 5327 Carnegie Ave, Pittsburgh" - from "List of Motor Vehicle Registrations and Licenses," 1917.
In the 1920 census of Ward 9, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom, a 47 year old [garbled] proprietor. Living with him were his wife, Maude, 44, and son, Charles, a 24 year old file clerk.
In the 1930 census of Ward 27, Pittsburgh, Allegeny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 58 year old proprietor of a Cleaning Shop; his son, William, helped as a tailor. Living with him were his wife, Maude, 54, and son, William T., 30, and his wife, Florence M., 27, and son, Charles H., 6 (c1924). A sister-in-law, Nellie G. Cleeves [Clowes, Clarves?], 61, also lived with them. Since Nellie was listed as single, not widowed or divorced, then that probably means that Maud's maiden name was Cleeves as well.
In the 1951 city directory of Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles liste Chas H. and Maude E. Hessom, his sons Chas H jr and Esther, Wm T and Florence, and grandson Robt C USN and Charlotte.
Charles Hessom died on 1 March 1957 in California. He was buried in Woodlawn, in Compton, Los Angeles county.
His children were,
(25) Charles Hessom (1895)
(25) William T. Hessom (c1900)
He was born on 15 July 1895, probably in Pittsburgh. In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles Hessom, aged 5. His parents were Charles H. and Maud E. Hessom.
In the 1910 census of Ward 10, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles Hessom, 14.
Charles Hutchinson Hessom Jr., of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, a 21 year old single clerk of the Crescent Steel company, residing at 5327 Carnegie street, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. He was born on 15 July 1895. He was of medium height and slender, with brown eyes and light hair.
In the 1920 census of Ward 9, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles Hessom, 24 year old single file clerk.
Charles married Esther.
In the 1930 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom Jr., a 34 year old dry cleaner in a cleaning shop. Living with him was his wife, Esther S., 27. The report is confusing because the census taker interposed the Hessom street number, 3827 [garbled] Way, two pages previous to list their son, Robert C. Hessom, 4.
Charles Hutchinson Hessom Jr., 46, of Pittsburgh, again registered for the draft on 27 April 1942. He was 5' 7", weighed 190 pounds, his eyes were black and his hair was gray. His wife was Esther.
In 1948/1949 Charles was living in Los Angeles, near his brother, William T. Hessom.
In the 1951 city directory of Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, listed parents, Chas H. and Maude E. Hessom, their sons, Chas H jr, with wife Esther, and Wm T, with wife Florence, and grandson Robt C USN, with his wife Charlotte. Robert was living with his father, Charles Jr., at 1001 W. Myrrh.
He died on 11 February 1968 while residing in Pasadena, California. His obituary:
"Charles H. Hessom Jr. of 415 N. Holliston Ave. passed away February 11, 1968. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., he had been a resident of Califorina 17 years, and was a member of American Legion Post 139, Alhambra. He is survived by his wife, Esther S. Hessom; one brother, William T. Hessom of Lakewood; three grandchildren, Robert, Richard and Nancy Hessom of Alameda, and one nephew, Charles H. Hessom of Hacienda Heights." - from the "Star News" of Pasadena, California of 13 February 1968
His children were,
(26) Robert Charles Hessom (1925)
(26) Robert Charles Hessom (1925)He was born on 2 November 1925 in Bellvue, Pennsylvania. In the 1930 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Robert C. Hessom, 4, living with his parents, Charles H. and Ester S. Hessom.
Robert completed high school in Pittsburgh and attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College before entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1943, when he would have been 18 years old. I assume this means Robert was in the school's Navy V-12 Officer Training Program. After completing flight training he was commissioned an Ensign and served on the island of Saipan. Was this during the tail-end of World War II or just after? He later became a flight instructor at the Naval Air Basic Training Command in Pensacola, Florida.
Robert attended the General Line School at Monterey, California, and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government at Northwestern University and his Masters Degree in Foreign Affairs at Tufts University.
During the Korean War, Lieutenant Junior Grade Charles Robert "Bob" Hessom flew an AD-4NL Skyraider with Carrier Air Group Five aboard USS ESSEX as a member of detachment 8 (VAN 8) of Composite Squadron 35 (VC-35), nicknamed the Night Hecklers. They were based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California.
"Lt. (jg) RC Hessom of the Essex's VAN Team 8 believed that the enemy had been slowed down a little because of night operations against their supply system, but that the night operations were too limited to affect the supply system sufficiently to make daylight transport necessary." - from "Dark Sky, Black Sea" by Charles H. BrownVAN Team 8 deployed on the USS Essex, from June 26, 1951 to March 25, 1952.
| VC-35
Composite Squadron Thirty-Five (VC-35) was established on 25 May 1950 at NAS San Diego, California. The squadron was commanded by Commander Charles R. Stapler and equipped with the Douglas "AD" Skyraider aircraft. The primary mission was anti-submarine warfare. They teamed with VC-11's AD-3Ws as hunter and killer. Additional missions included night strike, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and search and rescue (SAR). On 25 June 1950, a month after establishment, North Korea invaded South Korea. Two days later, the United States entered the war and VC-35 's secondary night attack mission became its primary mission. VC-35 detachments were called night attack, or VAN teams. These detachments usually consisted of 4 four aircraft, 6 pilots and 35 to 43 enlisted personnel, including 12 aircrewmen. Proficiency in night and all-weather flying required many months of training for pilots and aircrews at San Diego, and Fleet All Weather Training Unit Pacific at NAS Barbers Pt., Hawaii. |
An extensive article about Bob, written by his navigator/radar operator from the Korean War, is well worth your time, at "Skyraider: The able dog in Korea" by Thomas L. Thomson. To the right is Tommy Thomson standing next to his AD-4NL.
"On his [Thomson's] tenth mission, flying with LTJG Hessom, their AD-4NL took a hit from an enemy 37 mm round over Wonson Harbor. The round missed a main spar, fuel tank, a napalm bomb and Thomson by inches. Thomas again escaped death on his last mission over Majon Ni, when they flew "into a night filled with enough antiaircraft fire to sink the Queen Elizabeth II." - from Thomson's Induction into VC-35's Enlisted Combat Aircrewman Roll of HonorSee also Mission Off Essex for another mission account.
Robert was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, though, oddly, for service in VF-54. Note, however, that at this date VF-54 was flying AD-1/4 Skyraiders.
"Robert C. HessomOkay, now I'm looking at the Air Order of Battle and see that from 26 June 1951 to 25 March 1952 Airwing 5 on the ESSEX included VF-54 "Hells Angels," flying the AD-2/4/L/Q, as well as VC-35 Det B, flying the AD-4NL. Did Robert fly a mission with a sister squadron or did he somehow transfer from one squadron to the other mid-cruise? A final confusing factor, on VC-35's history page, VAN 8 on ESSEX is shown as SQD: VF-54.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Charles Hessom, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Fighter Squadron FIFTY-FOUR (VF-54), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 12 January 1952. General Orders: All Hands (March 1954)
Action Date: January 12, 1952
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Fighter Squadron 54 (VF-54)"
See The Bridges of Toko-Ri for what's called the "real story" by a former CO of VF-54. LtJG Hessom would have been on these raids.
Robert's wife was Charlotte L. Ardry of Alameda, California. She was born on 4 December 1929, the daughter of Raymond and Claire Ardry.
In the 1951 city directory of Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, listed parents, Chas H. and Maude E. Hessom, their sons, Chas H jr, with wife Esther, and Wm T, with wife Florence, and grandson Robt C USN, with his wife Charlotte. Robert was living with his father, Charles Jr., at 1001 W. Myrrh.
At the time of the Vietnam War Bob was apparently living in the Bay area, at 424 Fairhaven road, in Alameda, California. His wife was Charlotte L. Hessom, maiden name unknown.
During the Vietnam War Commander Charles Robert Hessom, USN, was in Navy Attack Squadron VA-215 onboard the USS HANCOCK (CVA-19). Read "US Navy A-1 Skyraider Units of the Vietnam War" by Rick Burgess on Google Books for another eye witness account of Commander Hessom.
He was killed on 5 March 1966 [?] when his A-1 Skyraider was hit by flak while in a bombing run. He was of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. This, however, is in east central Pennsylvania, southwest of Wilkes Barre along the Susquehanna River.
"HESSOM ROBERT CHARLES, CDR, NAVY, BLOOMSBURG, PA, 05MAR66, N.VIETNAM, 02NOV25, HOSTILE, KILLED"His remains were found in 1994.
"The remains of Cmdr. Robert Hessom, a Navy pilot from Bloomsburg, Pa., were found earlier this year. The Air Force said Hessom was flying his A-1H aircraft over the Ha Tinh Province in March 1966 when he was shot down by ground fire.Robert was a 22 year veteran of the Navy.
Hessom's wingman witnessed the crash and reported there was no sign of a parachute. However, because of heavy ground fighting in the area, Hessom's remains were not immediately recovered."
| VA-215 Barn Owls
|
He was awarded two additional Distinguished Flying Crosses.
"Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Robert Charles Hessom, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy as the Flight Leader of an eleven-plane A-1 Skyraider force against the Phu Van Army Complex in North Vietnam on 19 March 1965. Commander Hessom maneuvered his flight into a precision bombing attack, destroying approximately 40 barracks and storage buildings. He then reversed course and led a napalm attack at 100 feet against an adjacent target of 21 barracks buildings, inflicting such devastating damage that no further attacks were required. After the primary attacks, he led his force in rocket and strafing attacks against secondary targets and again inflicted heavy damage. General Orders: All Hands (July 1967)
Action Date: March 19, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Robert Charles Hessom, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy during an armed road reconnaissance mission in North Vietnam on 5 March 1966. Commander Hessom led his flight against a bridge at a major highway intersection. While making a bombing attack in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from the target complex, he lost his life when his aircraft exploded from a hit. General Orders: All Hands (July 1967)
Action Date: March 5, 1966
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander"
Robert Charles Hessom was buried in the Cortez, Colorado cemetery.
The California state legislature passed a resolution commending the life and sacrifice of Commander Hessom. The following also contains much information about Robert's life.
"WHEREAS, Commander Robert Charles Hessom of the United States Navy recently died while serving his country when his plane crashed after being hit by anti-aircraft fire over North Viet Nam; and
WHEREAS, Commander Hessom was born in Bellvue, Pennsylvania, completed high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College before entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1943 ; and
WHEREAS, After completing flight training, he was commissioned as Ensign and served on Saipan and later as a flight instructor at the Naval Air Basic Training Command in Pensacola, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Commander Hessom attended the General Line School at Monterey, California, and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government at Northwestern University and his Masters Degree in Foreign Affairs at Tufts University; and
WHEREAS, His duty assignments included several Mediterranean Cruises on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga and later as Weapons Coordinator aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea; and
WHEREAS, After qualifying in the A-1H at the Lemoore Naval Air Station, Commander Hessom became Executive Officer and afterwards Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 215 aboard the U.S.S. Hancock; and
WHEREAS, Commander Hessom was highly respected by all who served with him for his professional ability and competent leadership, for his courage, self- confidence, and skill as a pilot, and for his devotion as both a father and husband; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Members express their deepest sympathies upon the death of this courageous Naval Aviator, and extend their sincere condolences to his widow, Charlotte, his children, Robert, Richard and Nancy, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hessom, Jr.; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit suitably prepared copies of this resolution to Mrs. Charlotte Hessom and to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hessom, Jr. Resolution read, and referred by ... " - from the "Journal of the Assembly, Legislature of the State of California"
In later years Charlotte lived in San Mateo, Califoria. She died on 27 June 2014.
"Charlotte Louise Ardry Hessom passed away at Vista Mesa Assisted Living on Friday, June 27, 2014, at the age of 84. She was born the daughter of Raymond and Claire (Wright) Ardry on December 4, 1929, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Charlotte was known for her great sense of humor and her ability to laugh often. She was a wonderful and talented artist. Charlotte was an active woman enjoying traveling, swimming, playing cards and Scrabble, and cooking. Charlotte's family will greatly miss this wonderful mother and grandmother.
Surviving Charlotte are her two sons, Bob Hessom Jr. (also known as Bob Landree) of Cortez and Rick Hessom and wife, Carolyn also of Cortez; and her daughter, Nancy Hessom and husband, Chris Caldwell of Oregon House, Calif. Charlotte is also survived by her companion of 44 years, Joe Tyman of Cortez; daughter-in-law, Debbie Effert of Cortez; seven grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; and her brother, Paul Rosenberger and wife, Barbara of Allegheny, Pa. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Claire Ardry; her husband, Robert Charles Hessom; and her siblings, Nancy Hergenroeder and Russell Rosenberger." - from the "Cortez Journal" of 30 June 2014
Robert and Charlottes children were,
(27) Robert Charles Hessom Jr. (1949)
(27) Richard Stephen Hessom (1953)
(27) Nancy Hessom, she married Chris Caldwell
There is a Robert C. Hessom Jr. living in Cortez, Colorado. This was Bob Hessom, a "personality" on KRTZ radio in Cortez, Colorado. He probably attended Alameda High School, graduating in 1968. I also have a "Robert C. Hessom Jr. aka Bob Landree," who copyrighted a country song, "I'm the Shelby County Sheriff," in 1978. This may be the Memphis DJ who "came from San Diego to do afternoons." He had a program in Livermore, California in 1974. His [ex?] wife's name Deborah Effert.
(28) Eric Robert Charles Hessom (1977)Eric R. Hessom was born in San Diego, California. He went to Aragon High School in San Mateo, California. Eric Robert Charles Hessom and Leagha Lynn Hessom have lived in Montezuma county, Colorado circa 2009.
(27) Richard Stephen Hessom (1953)Richard Stephen Hessom was born on 10 April 1953 in San Diego, per the California Birth records. His mother's maiden name was Ardry. He was living in "the Bay area," probably Alameda, Calfornia, before moving to Cortez, Colorado. Both San Diego and Alameda were Naval Bases where Richard's father was probably stationed. A Richard S. Hessom lives in Cortez with Carolyn M. Hessom.
22 December 2009. "The owners of Once Upon a Sandwich in Cortez have seen a lot of changes since they opened their doors 20 years ago this month. Rick Hessom was just 37 when he and his wife, Carolyn, decided to put their restaurant experience to good use after moving to Cortez. "Carolyn is a Chicago girl, and I'm from the Bay area," he said. "Both of us had restaurant backgrounds from up in the Vail area. She brought me down here for a visit, and we thought it was beautiful." Hessom said back then, there wasn't a whole lot of job opportunities. He has seen business increase since Once Upon a Sandwich first opened, however, with more people in Cortez. "Foot traffic has increased," he said. "This is the first year it's leveled off. Tourism was still strong as ever, but since September, it's been trickling off compared to the growth over time." Hessom added most of his customer base is local, although even the tourists who stops many times are repeat diners. "We've seen a whole generation grow up, and we have people who have been coming in for 20 years," he said. "Then there are people driving through from Arizona who are on their way to ski and they look for us every year." Hessom said a recently expanded menu includes new items like chimichangas, Southwest salads and reubens. "My wife does most of the recipes," he said. "She runs the kitchen and comes up with the new specials. A lot of our specials we had over the years we put on it. We've also had our staff come up with different ideas too." Another thing the couple changed since they opened was their location in 2004, right around the corner, at 1 W. Main St. Hessom said Carolyn spent "a good year" remodeling the former ice-cream parlor into a fully loaded restaurant that seats up to 65. "We try to make it a cozy spot so people can take a relaxing break in the middle of the day to get away from their jobs, to energize and then get back to the rest of the day," he said, adding the restaurant still serves ice-cream for dessert. Catering is not an uncommon occurrence either - though not advertised. The Hessoms once provided a Thanksgiving dinner for 300 people two nights in a row. "It becomes like family - the nice thing about small towns," he said. " It's been a real pleasure and looking forward to doing a lot more through the ups and downs of the different economies and couple of wars that have been out there." Hessom said in the works for the future are a new sign to draw more attention to the restaurant, a back deck for outdoor seating, summer dinner hours and even Facebook. "A lot of people are finding us now from global navigation systems," he said. "You punch in a restaurant and people find us. It's just another avenue to let people know we're here." Hessom said after all this time, he and Carolyn consider themselves "long transplanted almost natives." "Time flies," he said. "We're fortunate to be able to live here in a great little community where we have incredible customers. "Hopefully it's something we can pass on to someone interested in starting a new business when it comes time for us to move on.""(28) Jodi L. Hessom (c1981)
Of Cortez, Colorado. [?]
(25) William Thomas Hessom (1900)He was born on 25 March 1900, the son of Charles H. and Maud E. Hessom. In the 1900 census of East Deer township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, aged 2/12. In the 1910 census of Ward 10, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William Hessom, 10, living with his parents, Charles H. and Maude Hessom.
William T. Hessom, of 5327 Carnegie Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, registered for the draft in WWI on 12 September 1918. He was an 18 year old clerk working for the Crescent Steel Works, as was his brother, Charles. He was single, his nearest relative being his father, Charles H. Hessom Sr. William was 5 foot 7 inches tall, with gray eyes and brown hair. I don't know if he served.
William T. Hessom, 21, married Florence [Margareta] Hull, 21, on 12 November 1919 in Wellsburg, Brooke county, West Virginia. I think they lied about their age. Note that Florence, per the 1920 census, would have been only 16. Does this imply they didn't have her parents' permission? She was the daughter of Harry L. Hull and Sarah Byers, of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
In the 1920 census of Ward 9, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William T., a 19 year old shipper [?] at the steel mill, and his wife, Florence M., 17. They were lodgers living with W.W. Campbell on Forty Third Street. There was no information about their month/year of birth or year when married.
The "Simpon's Leader-Times" of Kittanning, Pennsylvannia of 20 May 1920 notes that "Mr. and Mrs. William T. Hessom of Brighton Road, Pittsburg, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. James Filson, this place."
On 14 August 1924 William T. Hessom was noted to be the Secretary of Hessom Dry Cleaners Inc., of Pittsburgh. This was on the occassion of the companies merger with the Model Cleaning and Dyeing Company. Who owned/operated the Heesom Dry Cleaners?
In the 1930 census of Ward 27, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William T. Hessom [Hersom in Ancestry.com], a 30 year old tailer in a Cleaning Shop, and his wife, Florence M., 27, and son, Charles H., 6 (c1924). William was living with his parents, Charles H. and Maude Hessom.
In the 1940 census of Ward 27, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as William Hessom, a 40 year old laborer in a laundry. Living with him were his wife, Florence, a 37 year old saleslady in a department store, his son, Charles, 16, and his mother-in-law, Sarah Hull, a 67 year old widow.
William moved to California, as did his brother, Charles. This was probably associated with the war work available in southern California. I have a William T. Hessom and Mrs. Florence M. Hessom in the California Voter Registrations of 1946 living at "2343 1/2 Arthur st., D" in East Hollywood.
In 1948 I have William T. and Florence M. Hessom living at 1112 East 153rd street. William's brother, Charles H. Hessom, lived not far away. While Charles disappears after this, William and Florence are listed through 1954 at the same address. This block number is now on West Redondo Beach Blvd in Gardena.
In the 1951 city directory of Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, listed parents, Chas H. and Maude E. Hessom, their sons, Chas H jr, with wife Esther, and Wm T, with wife Florence, and grandson Robt C USN, with his wife Charlotte. Robert was living with his father, Charles Jr., at 1001 W. Myrrh.
"Mrs. William (Florence) Hessom of Lakewood, Calif." was noted to be the sixth daughter of Henry Eugene Hull and Twila Jane Stuart, from the 4 December 1972 obituary of Henry Hull.
William died on 29 January 1979 while residing in Lakewood, California. This is also in the Los Angeles basin, about 10 miles east of their Gardena home. Known as William Thomas, or William T. Hessom in the California Death Index, where he was shown to have died in San Bernardino county [though that hardly sounds right]. Here his birth is shown as 25 March 1901, in Pennsylvania. A Florence H. [Florence Margareta Hull] Hessom, was born on 26 June 1902 and died in March 1989 while residing in Lakewood, California. They were buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery in Cypress, Orange county, California.
His children were,
(26) Charles H. Hessom (1923)
He was born on 28 September 1923 in Pennsylvania. I have a reference that says, "Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hull, and Mrs. Wm. Hessom and son, Charles, of Pittsburgh, visited East Brady friends Sunday." - from "Simpson's Leader-Times" of Kittanning, Pennsylvania of 18 September 1929. In the 1930 census of Ward 27, Pittsburgh, Allegeny county, Pennsylvania as Charles H. Hessom, 6, living with his parents, William T. and Esther. In the 1940 census of Ward 27, Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles Hessom, 16, still living at home.
Charles H. Hessom, born on 28 September 1923, enlisted as a Private in the Army Air Corps on 7 November 1942 in Pittsburgh. He was single and had one year of college. He was 65 inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. He had one year of college. Charles was released from the service on 15 December 1944.
Charles Hessom attended the University of Southern California, as a Senior in the Engineering department, in 1949. I assume he graduated in that year. He belonged to Sigma Phi Delta.
Charles H. Hessom, 26, married Diane Lee Sawyer, 20, on 4 March 1950 in Los Angeles, California.
He was noted in his Uncle Charles' obituary of 1972.
Charles Hutchinson Hessom died on 23 October 1978 while residing in Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles county, California. This is near West Covina.
I have a Charles H. Hessom on a list of Civil Engineers in 1982. This might be our Charles, listed post-mortem, or a son as yet unknown who took after his father. His children were,
(27) Michael Keith Hessom (1955)
(27) Charles P. Hessom (1957)
(27) Linda C. Hessom (1963)
Michael Keith Hessom was born on 24 January 1955 in Los Angeles, California. Of Fullerton and Diamond Bar, California. A high school chemistry teacher at Bonita High School, La Verne, California. This is near Pomona. Michael K. Hessom, born in about 1956, married Pamela J. Hill, 24, on 16 January 1982 in Los Angeles.
(28) Elizabeth C. Hessom (c1988)Of Diamond Bar. She received a B.S. in Biological Science from Calstate Fullerton in 2010.
(27) Charles P. Hessom (1957)He was born on 26 June 1957 in Los Angeles, California, mother's maiden name Sawyer. He married Catherine E. Traut in Los Angeles. Of Redwood Valley, Sonoma county, California. An actor and home brewer. Circa 1995 "Charles Hessom, Redwood Valley, Calif." won a Gold medal for his beer.
Cathy is a kindergarten teacher at Grace Hudson Elementary school in Ukiah, California. She is also a member of the California Traditional Music society and plays the dulcimer and performs with the band, The Chinchillas.
(27) Linda C. Hessom (1963)She was born on 26 September 1963 in Los Angeles, California, mother's maiden name Sawyer. Was her middle name Colleen? She may have married a Dodge.
Peter Hessom (c1800)
In the Arkansas Gazette of 1824 and 1825. "Name of Patentees: . . . Peter Hessom . . . " - from Batesville Tax Sale in "Land for Sale for Taxes, In Independence, A.T. [Arkansas Territory]" of 30 August 1825. On 7 November 1825 Charles Kelly, the county Sheriff, planned to sell the described plots.
Zeno Hessom (c1848)There was a Zeno Hessom [per Ancestry.com], a 32 year old farmer, of Maryland, in the 1880 census of Stanton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His wife was Magaret, 33, and his son was David W., 2. Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania is the right place for the Hessom/Hissom family. However, I've looked at this document and the surname looks more like Heseuon or Hesevon to me. Regardless, there appear to be no further documentation or descendants for this family.
Moon township is northwest of Pittsburgh, down the Ohio river.
"Here is a picture of Pittsburgh in 1800 as Allegheny County's first register and recorder, Samuel Jones, suggested a traveler might see the town: "The streets were filled with hogs, dogs, drays, and noisy children. At night the streets were unlighted except for a long lamp over the door of a tavern or on a signpost, whenever the moon was in its first or last quarter." In daytime, one could see the 400 or so brick houses, mostly facing the north bank of the Monongahela River, close by a thriving commercial center. Already a few buildings loomed on the high hill above the town. But the character of a place comes from its residents. Men were most prominent on the streets, scurrying to the piers for work in one of the shipbuilding operations or to the smith's office, the print shop, or a grocery. Pittsburgh's population was some 2,400 people; 64 of them were slaves. On the streets, one saw a few free Black men." - from "Middle Passage to Early America"
The village of Lawrenceville lay northeast of the young city of Pittsburgh, on the Allegheny riverfront. It was founded in 1814 by William Foster, the father of the composer Stephen Foster, who was born there in 1826. It is named for Captain James Lawrence, hero of the War of 1812, famous for his dying words, "Don't Give Up The Ship!" 
The arsenal was established in 1814. It was situated on 38 hilly acres of land bordering the Allegheny river in the community of Lawrenceville. 
By 2:00 pm, with the fire throwing embers into the air that then started new fires where they landed, many of the citizens who had been fighting the flames instead fled to save their own possessions. During its height, between 2:00 and 4:00, the fire marched block by block through the intermixed structures of Pittsburgh's poor and elite, residences and businesses, with "the loftiest buildings melting before the ocean of flame," which consumed wood, melted metal and glass, and collapsed stone and brick. The Bank of Pittsburgh, thought to be fireproof, fell victim when the heat of the fire shattered the windows and melted the zinc roof, the molten metal igniting the wooden interior and burning all except the contents of the vault. A similar fate met the grand Monongahela House, called the "finest Hotel in the west," when its cupola caught fire and collapsed within, resulting in a total loss. The mayor's offices and churches fell. As it spread up Second Street to Market Street it destroyed the region where the city's physicians had been concentrated. 
Also called the Washington Burial Grounds. The cemetary is located under what is now Main and Fisk Streets, Government Way and the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. It was founded in 1814 on a one-and-a-quarter acre tract of land donated as a cemetery for the soldiers stationed at the Allegheny Arsenal by Lawrenceville's founder, William B. Foster. 
East Deer is upriver from Pittsburgh, in far northeastern Allegheny county. In 1880 it had a coal mine, oil refinery and a barrel factory. Towns of interest to our story include Tarentum and New Kensington.
An A-1H Skyraider of VA 215, left, taxis for take-off. On the 1966 deployment the Barn Owls were on USS HANCOCK. 
