McDonough ILGenWeb

HESH, Philipp, who was actively engaged, for thirty years, in farming in Scotland Township, McDonough County, Ill., but is now resting from his labors, was born in Baden, Germany, March 23, 1835. His parents, Philip and Marguerite (Hoffman) Hesh, were also natives of Baden.

Mr. Hesh came to the United States in April, 1857, and on April 22d arrived in Lancaster County, Pa., where he worked on a farm until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war. He then returned to Pennsylvania, whence, in 1871, he came to McDonough County, Ill., where he bought a farm of eighty acres in Section 4, Scotland Township, where he has since lived. In 1901 he abandoned active labor, but still looks after the farm. Mr. Hesh had a singular experience on one occasion, when he was digging a well. He fell into the well when the water was ten feet deep, but shot to the top so quickly that his under-clothing was not wet.

On May 1, 1857, Mr. Hesh was married to Augustina Needle, who was born and schooled in Baden, Germany. Eight children are the offspring of this union, namely: Jacob, Elizabeth (Mrs. F. Stump), John, Catherine (Mrs. M. White), Emeline (Mrs. C. Ricks), Eliza (Mrs. H. Sweezy), Joseph and Mary. In politics, Mr Hesh has maintained an independent stand. He served as School Director for twelve years, and as Road Overseer fifteen years. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church. Fraternally, he is a member of the G. A. R.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 907-908, extracted 09 Mar 2019 by Norma Hass.