Henry L. Hess

Henry Leroy Hess (October 12, 1890 – March 15, 1974)[1] was an American lawyer and politician from Oregon.

Henry Leroy Hess
United States Attorney for the District of Oregon
In office
1945–1954
Preceded byCarl C. Donaugh
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 21st district
In office
January 9, 1933 – January 11, 1937
Preceded byColon R. Eberhard
Succeeded byClyde L. Kiddle
Personal details
Born(1890-10-12)October 12, 1890
Rexburg, Idaho, United States
DiedMarch 15, 1974(1974-03-15) (aged 83)
Washington County, Oregon, United States
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Madeline Owsley (m. 1964–74)
Children1

Biography

Hess was born in 1890 in Rexburg, Idaho.[1]

A Democrat, Hess served a term in the Oregon State Senate from 1933 until 1937, representing Union and Wallowa counties.[2][3] In 1938, he ran for Governor of Oregon. In the Democratic primary, he ran against incumbent Governor Charles Martin, as well as state representative O. Henry Oleen.[4] Harold L. Ickes, Roosevelt's Secretary of the Interior and a key implementer of New Deal policies, indicated his support for Hess, though Roosevelt himself stayed officially neutral.[5] He defeated Martin and Oleen with 49% of the vote.[4][6] In the general election, Hess lost to Republican candidate Charles A. Sprague with 43% of the vote.[7]

Following his defeat, Hess served as U.S. Attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon from 1945 until 1954. He was also a delegate to the 1944 Democratic National Convention.[8]

Hess married Madeline Mae Owsley (1911–2003) on March 30, 1964 in Stevenson, Washington.[9] He had a son, Henry L. Hess Jr., from a different relationship.[9]

Hess died on March 15, 1974 in Washington County, Oregon.[1]

References
  1. Bodine, Ronny O. A Genealogical History of the Owsley Family Part 3 - Being a Preliminary Account of the Descendants of Thomas Owsley (1752-1825), of Rockcastle County, Kentucky. p. 61.
  2. "Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide 1933 Regular Session (37th): January 9 – March 9". Oregon State Archives. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  3. "Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide 1935 Regular Session (38th): January 14 – March 13". Oregon State Archives. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  4. "Governor Martin defeated by Hess in Oregon contest". Reading Eagle. May 22, 1938. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  5. "Martin-Hess race is close in New Deal test in Oregon" (PDF). The New York Times. May 21, 1938. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  6. "OR Governor Race - Democratic Primary - May 20, 1938". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  7. "OR Governor Race - Nov 08, 1938". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  8. "Hess". Political Graveyard. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  9. "Madeline Mae Hess - Obituary". Daniels-Knopp. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Charles Martin		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Oregon
1938		 Succeeded by
Lew Wallace
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