Isaac E. Hess – The Pember Museum and Library, Granville New York
Contact
Directions
Elevator Addition
News
Library
Welcome
Policies
Library Programs
Friends of the Library
Library Catalog
Museum
About
Collections
Pember’s Wishes
Exhibitions
Current Exhibitions
Eggscentricity 2
William J. B. Williams (2)
Charles Bertram “Bert” Nichols (2)
Alfred W. Anthony
Rollo H. Beck
Nelson K. Carpenter
Richard M. Barnes
Verdi Burtch
John N. Clark
Emery C. Greenwood
Isaac E. Hess
Harry Y. Benedict
David P. Ingraham
Albert M. Ingersoll
Francis C. Willard
Willis W. Worthington
John S. Howland
Ornithology & Oology Journals
Who’s Who in Ornithology
Life Inspired Art
Past Exhibitions
Eggscentricity 1
William John Babcock Williams (1)
Charles Bertram “Bert” Nichols (1)
William Otto Emerson
Walter Raine
Marston Abbott Frazar
Jerome Trombley
Frank Stephens
Carroll De Wilton Scott
Frank Bradley Armstrong
Joseph Delos Hatch
Charles Andrew Allen
Frank P. Craig
John Sparhawk Appleton
Arthur Lamson Pope
Frank Haak Lattin
William LaGrange Ralph
Forgotten Relics
The Cat Lady
Pember’s Attic
Items donated but were not on exhibit
Furs, Feathers & Fashion
History in your Backyard
Services
Loan Kits
Programs
Volunteers
Collections
Past Perfect online
Pictures
Nature Preserve
Nature Programs 2026
Nature Activities
Japanese Knotweed Flute-How to Make Instructions
Nature Preserve Mapping
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.
Isaac E. Hess – 1924 Herald & Review
Exhibit
Dickcissel eggs collected on July 2, 1897 in Philo, IL
Egg Data Card
1897 Exchange ad
1898 Exchange ad
1909 The Oologist climbing for red-tailed hawk eggs
1914 Albino Robin
1922 American Oologists Exchange Price List pg94
1924 Death notice
1924 obit news
Loading Comments...