Biography of J. L. Tess, pages 640/641.  History of DeKalb 
County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 
1914.



The history of a state is but a record of the doings of its 
people, and the story of the plain common people who 
constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should 
ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all 
true lovers of their kind. In life story of the subject of 
this sketch there are no striking chapters of startling 
incidents, but it is merely the record of life true to its 
highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate 
the youth just starting in the world as an independent 
factor.  H. L. Tess is a native son of the county in, which 
he now resides and was born on February 25, 1864. His 
parents were Louis and Harriett (Smith) Tess, the former a 
native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Louis 
Tess emigrated to this country from the Fatherland and 
settled in DeKalb county, where he followed day labor. 
Though not a man of great prominence in his community, he 
had the sincere regard of all who knew him because of his 
straightforward, honest and industrious life and was 
numbered among the substantial citizens of his community. 
To him and his wife were born  seven children: Elizabeth, 
Eliza, H. L.., two who died in infancy, Clara and Charles.  
H. L. Tess secured his education in the common schools of 
DeKalb county, and upon attaining the proper age he learned 
the trade of a telegrapher, which vocation he followed for 
ten years. He then engaged in the general mercantile 
business at Butler, which he followed with success, but 
eventually sold out and became a draughtsman for the Butler 
Windmill Company, with which concern he has continuously 
since been identified. He  is one of the most valuable 
factors  in the success of this enterprise and takes an 
intelligent interest in his work, which is of no secondary 
importance in the routine program of the company's plant.  
In 1887 Mr. Tess was married to Dell Knisely, the daughter 
of T. J. Knisely, and to them have been born two children, 
Harold K. and Ethel.  Politically, Mr. Tess has given his 
support to the Republican party, while fraternally he is an 
appreciative member of the Knights of Pythias. The 
Methodist Episcopal church claims him among its members and 
he has long been a faithful attendant and a contributor to 
the support of that society. Mr. Tess is known as a man of 
energy, determination and steady habits. In his private 
personal relations he is enjoyable, entertaining an at all 
times a well bred gentleman. There is no pretense or 
display about him, he caring little for the limelight, 
merely desiring to do his duty as he sees and understands 
it and to be of the greatest service to his community.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com