Maybe someone will remember the origin of Hess Brothers Dept. Store in Allentown. In my searches for ancestors I came across the name of two brothers named Hess who traveled into Allentown and started a dry goods store. Supposedly this was the start of Hess Bros., as we knew it. Does any one know the whole story of the original Hess Bros.? Where they came from? Who their family was? We lived in the West End while in Allentown. At Halloween, our neighborhood children used to like to go out to Max Hess' house, for someone told them he gave out half dollars instead of candy. I hope I have jogged someone's memory. Anna in AZ

From The Chronicle and News February 19, 1897... The Hess Brothers, of Perth Amboy, have been added to the list of prominent Merchants of this city of their store 831-833 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA Allentown has long been known as the city of fine hotels and it will soon be known as the city of mammoth stores, well equipped and stocked with goods which in quantity and quality have no superior outside of the big cities. Our merchants are noted for their enterprise and business ability. They are not easily out-stripped in the commercial race and the fame of their establishments is a source of just pride to all Allentonians. The latest addition to our stores is that of Charles and Max Hess, who will throw open the portals of their establishment this evening and bid the public welcome. Although the Messrs. Hess are strangers to the people of this city they are well known in business circles and for the past eight years have been the proprietors of one of the largest stores in Perth Amboy, which establishment they will still continue to run. These gentlemen having heard so much about the goaheadiveness and the general prosperity of our people, have been anxious for some time to locate in our midst. Their opportunity came when Mr. Victor D. Barner erected the annex to his hotel Nos. 831-833 Hamilton Street. They immediately opened negotiations with Mr. Barner for the rental of the magnificent store room, which runs the width and length of the two buildings, and in October a lease was made. The room measures 50x125 feed in dimensions, with a basement of the same size. It is lighted by twelve windows and two skylights. In the evening six large arc lights and eighteen electrohers furnish the illumination. The electric flash light sign suspended over the pavement contains 182 incandescent lights. The store is further equipped with pneumatic cash carriers, the first to be used in this city. Besides the shelving which extends around the sides of the room, packed and heaped up with all kinds and grades of goods, a series of counters run through the middle of the room, arranges in such a manner as to display the goods to the best advantage. Their force of clerks has been selected with special reference to their fitness, popularity and experience, and it is one of which any proprietor may well feel satisfied. The force of clerks will be largely increased in a few days. The ones mentioned were secured because of their special knowledge of the goods in their departments. A great deal of their help will be chosen later. The office consists of Alice Hertzog, cashier, and Hattie Seiborling, bookkeeper. The general superintendent is S. Hoffman. The night watchman is S.S. Thompson. The window decorator is Milton Morrow who will have particular charge of the four display windows. Mr. Morrow is a decorator whose taste and ability have made him well known among the merchants of this city as well as the public who have often admired his artistic decorations. There will be electric reflectors in the windows. Tonight the place will be handsomely decorated with flowers, ferns, palms and other tropical plants. The Allentown Band will render a concert during the evening and will be stationed behind the bank of ferns and palms on the north side of the room. It is expected that a large delegation of the employees from the Perth Amboy store will be present and take in the opening. The goods which the Messrs. Hess have laden their shelves with comprise of the latest in design and pattern that the market affords. No state or shop worn goods will be seen in their establishment and the prices will be in the nature of a surprise to the customers. With everything that the public requires where every taste, no matter how critical, can be satisfied; with prices as low as is consistent with the best quality and with honest and fair dealing, the Messrs. Hess are confident of securing a fair share of the public patronage. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 3:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [PALEHIGH-L] Hess Brothers Maybe someone will remember the origin of Hess Brothers Dept. Store in Allentown. In my searches for ancestors I came across the name of two brothers named Hess who traveled into Allentown and started a dry goods store. Supposedly this was the start of Hess Bros., as we knew it. Does any one know the whole story of the original Hess Bros.? Where they came from? Who their family was? We lived in the West End while in Allentown. At Halloween, our neighborhood children used to like to go out to Max Hess' house, for someone told them he gave out half dollars instead of candy. I hope I have jogged someone's memory. Anna in AZ ==== PALEHIGH Mailing List ==== Contact List Manager at [email protected] PaGenWeb Lehigh County http://www.pa-roots.com/~lehigh Surname Page is at http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~myplace/lehighpa.html Genealogy of Pa at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6508/