From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904 Scanned by Susan Dechant (sdechant@triax.com) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN P. HESSEL John P. Hessel is one of the leading business men of the Colville valley and does today a fine butcher business in Colville, where he is highly esteemed as a man of substantial qualities. He also numbers his friends from every portion of the valley and many points of the northwest as well as in various other localities. John P. Hessel was born in Gaualgesheim, Germany, on December 4, 1845, the son of Lawrence and Agnes (Christian) Hessel, natives of Gaualgesheim, where also they died. The father was a government officer. Seven children were born to this worthy couple but only the subject of this sketch and two others are living, namely: Margaret Smith, and Mary, both in Germany. Mr. Hessel was educated and reared in his native land and when nineteen started out in life for himself. He had learned the butcher trade which has proved to be a great capital to him. He came to the United States in 1865, leaving home on November 1. He wrought at his business in New York, then in Bloomington, Illinois, then in Indianapolis and in 1875 he went to Kansas City. Next we see him in Denver, then Leadville, and in 1880 he went through the western country with team and wagon, and then returned to Bloomington. In 1880 he went to Chicago, thence to Pueblo, Portland, Walla Walla and finally arrived in Lewiston, Idaho. He turned aside from the butcher business and dealt in fruit for a time. Then Mr. Hessel wrought in Moscow and Spokane. During the Coeur d'Alene excitement, he went to Rathdrum to care for the interests of V. Dessert, of Spokane and later came to Spokane to follow the same line of business. He left this and came to Chewelah and opened a business, which, in 1888 he sold and bought a farm twelve miles south from Colville. In 1889 Mr. Hessel came to Colville and opened a shop and here he has been since and is one of the most substantial men of the section. He has a good shop and owns a beautiful residence besides much other property. He has some fine driving horses and handles many head of cattle, hogs, and sheep.