Isaac Elmer Hess was a country storekeeper in Philo, Illinois with a life hobby interest in birds.
He was the son of George W. Hess (1833-1876) and Erzilla Jane Dodson (1837-1915) born on September 3, 1871, in Parkville, IL. His father was a farmer until 1875 when they moved to Philo and established himself as a merchant. When his father died in 1876, Isaac’s two older brothers took over the store and after he graduated in 1887, he became a clerk.
Isaac married Florance Adams (1876-?) in 1894 and they had one daughter, Edith Constance in 1912.
In 1898 he bought the entire interests of his two brothers and took charge of the mercantile.
Isaac wrote many bird articles for the Oologist journal and a series of 157 articles for the Sunday issue of the Dacatur Herald for nearly three years.
One Hundred Breeding Birds of an Illinois Ten-mile Radius written by Hess
Isaac Hess’s greatest achievement was the gathering of data on 104 different species of birds found in a ten-mile radius from his home, which data was published in 1910 in The Auk journal. He also collected the eggs of 94 different species that were exhibited in cases in the rear of his store for visiting bird lovers.
Isaac was a member of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Wilson’s Club and Illinois Academy of Science. He lectured at university clubs, farmers’ institutes, Boy Scout clubs, high schools, women’s clubs and universities.
He died December 31, 1923, of food poisoning at age 52. A friend said in an article that Isaac was a delightful friend, a rare man and that the world was better for him having lived in it.
Biography of Isaac E. Hess – Access Genealogy
Sources: Biodiversity Library, Findagrave.com, Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, Access Genealogy
The only egg set is in Williams’ collection and is a set of Dickcissel eggs collected in Philo, IL in 1897.
