Wilhelm Heinrich Kiess

     Wilhelm Heinrich Kiess was born on 7 February 1862 at Blooming Grove, Hepburn Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 He was the son of Jacob Johann Kiess and Sophie Kehrer. Wilhelm Heinrich Kiess first married, at age 27, Annie M. Bender, daughter of Levi Bender, on Saturday, 22 June 1889 at Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.^3,4 Wilhelm Heinrich Kiess married a second time, at age 36, Martha E. Rothfuss on Thursday, 8 December 1898.⁴ Wilhelm Heinrich Kiess married a third time, at age 43, Cora M. Sallade on Thursday, 19 October 1905 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.⁴
     Wilhelm Heinrich Kiess was also known as William Henry. He was a teacher as well as the County Clerk. He , clerk in the office of the register and recorder, was born at Blooming Grove, in Hepburn Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania on February 7, 1862, son of Jacob D. and Sophia [Kehrer] Kiess, natives of Lycoming County, and of German origin. His mother died in December of 1862 and several years after her death, his father moved to Iowa. William H. was their only child, and was reared by his grandfather, Abraham Kiess, of Queneshaque, Anthony Township. He was educated in the common schools of that township and at the Muncy Normal School. At the age of sixteen he engaged in school teaching during the winter season, and attended school during the summer. In 1883 he graduated from the State Normal School at Lock Haven, after which he taught for two years in the public schools and was one of the teachers in the Williamsport Commercial College for three years. Mr. Kiess was appointed assistant postmaster of Williamsport in 1888, and filled that position until 1890, when he was appointed clerk in the prothonotary's office, and in January, 1891, he was appointed to his present position. He is a stanch Democrat, and is now a member of the school board from the Eighth ward. He has been connected with the I.O.O.F. since 1884, and has passed through the chairs. Mr. Kiess was married in 1889 to Annie M., daughter of Levi Bender, of Williamsport. Mrs. Kiess is a member of the Mulberry Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subject attends the Baptist Church. in 1892.⁵