Owen H. Hess remained on the home farm until the death of his father, when he began learning the millwright's trade with Henry Treichler, who after two years made the young man foreman of his construction gang. In that capacity Mr. Hess built mills in various parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He became an expert mill builder, and also developed an unusual ability to handle men with the best results. He was thus employed until 1886, when he was placed in charge of the construction of the plant of the Nazareth Cement Company, under Dr. Bachman. This was his first introduction to the Portland cement business, and in the construction of the plant he gave every detail careful study and attention. He installed all the machinery in the plant, and when it was ready for operation he was in charge of the mill when the first cement was produced in Nazareth. When W. B. Shaffer began the erection of the Phoenix Mill he sought the services of Mr. Hess, who was in charge of the erection of the plant. So well was his work done that not a hitch of any kind occurred when the plant began its production. During this period, Mr. Hess had about one hundred and fifty men under his direction, and so perfect was his organization and so fairly were his men treated that it is a matter of fact that not an hour was lost in trouble between the men and their employer. After the completion of a cement plant at Whitehall, Mr. Hess, on March 18, 1901, was appointed superintendent of the Dexter Portland Cement Company of Nazareth, whose plant, recently completed, was not running smoothly in its mechanical department, neither were the labor conditions satisfactory. All this was quickly remedied, and from that day forward the operation of the plant has been without friction in either department. During the superintendency of the plant by Mr. Hess, business has greatly increased, and many important additions have been made tending to materially increase output. This has been accomplished without closing the plant, and it is a matter of record that its operation from the first has been continuous, there having been no shutdowns on account of improvements, labor troubles, lack of material or market for the finished product. The daily output has been increased from five hundred barrels a day to two thousand five hundred barrels, while constant employment is afforded two hundred men. During these eighteen years no serious accident has occurred in the plant, except a small engine room fire once. Mr. Hess may be justly charged with the absence of friction at the plant, his watchful eye and active brain being ever on the alert for possible sources of future trouble and finding a remedy in advance. He is a director in the Dexter Concrete Manufacturing Company, stockholder in the Dexter Portland Cement Company, member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Masonic Order, Knights Templar, and Shriners, and the Reformed Church of Nazareth. Keenly alive to community interests, Mr. Hess served for six years on the Allen Township School Board, and with the Nazareth School Board, and has rendered similar service, also serving on the Borough Council. He is a Democrat in his political faith.