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Riley W. Hess was born 1819, in Independence County, Arkansas, the son of Samuel Hess and Sarah (maiden name unknown).
Riley served as a private in the Mexican War. He served in Capt. Marcus W. Reinhardt's Co. H, 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Mounted Gunmen. They rendezvoused at Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 24, 1836, and were stationed at Fort Gibson. (Ref: Arkansas Pensioners 1818-1900, by Payne) He served with his brothers John and James Hess. Riley drew a pension for his military service.
Riley appears on the 1840 Independence County, Arkansas, census in Green River Township, living next door to his widowed mother, Sally. He appears on the census as a male age 20-30 years. He was living alone at the time.
Riley married Charlotte Taylor on May 9, 1841, in Jackson County, Arkansas. We have been told that Charlotte Taylor was born about 1823, the eldest daughter of Levi Taylor.
Riley and Charlotte had two children. Charlotte died about 1848, possibly in Independence County, Arkansas.
Riley married Elizabeth Collins on May 12, 1850, in Independence County. Elizabeth Collins was born about 1836, in Tennessee, according to census.
Riley and Elizabeth appear on the 1860 Jackson County census, in Glaize Township, living not far from his brother John Hess and his family. The census shows Riley Hess, 40, a farmer; Elizabeth, 23; Mary 14; Sarah, 13; Amanda, 7; Louisa, 6; Polley, 4; and Susan, 3 years old.
Riley and Elizabeth had seven children. Elizabeth died between 1865 and 1868.
The 1870 Jackson County census, Grand Glaize Township, shows .Riley W. Hess, 51, a farmer, real property valued at $500 real prop, personal property valued at $200; Louisa, 14; William T., 8; Frances M., 7; Elizabeth, 10; and Susannah, 11 years old. Living with the family was James Hess, 19, a farm laborer, personal property valued at $100, born in Arkansas. (Note: This was probably Riley's nephew, James Franklin Hess, son of Riley's brother, Solomon Hess and wife Sarah Amanda Collins. We believe Sarah Collins was a sister to Riley's wife, Elizabeth Collins.)
Riley married Isabella Rhodes on September 11, 1870, in Jackson County. Isabella Rhodes was born about 1847.
Riley died prior to 1880, probably in Jackson County.
Children of Riley Hess and Charlotte Taylor
1. Mary Ann Hess, b. abt 1846, AR; m. Jesse Estept on Aug 19, 1869, in Jackson Co, AR
2. Sarah Hess, b. abt 1847, AR
Children of Riley Hess and Elizabeth Collins
3. Amanda Hess, b. 1851, AR; m. William Arthur Dossett on Mar 5, 1871, in Jackson Co, AR
4. Louisa Hess, b. Sept 10, 1853, AR
5. Mary "Polly" Hess, b. abt 1856, AR; d. 1861-1868, Jackson Co, AR (She appears as 4 years old on the 1860 Jackson Co, AR census.)
6. Susan Hess, b. abt 1857, AR
7. Erria Elizabeth May Hess, b. Sept 17, 1858, Jackson Co, AR
8. William I. Hess, b. abt 1862, Jackson Co, AR
9. Frances M. Hess, b. abt 1863, Jackson Co, AR (He is listed as Franklin Hess, 16, on the 1880 Stone Co, AR census, living with his sister Erria and her family.)