Henry Leroy Hess (October 12, 1890 – March 15, 1974)[1] was an American lawyer and politician from Oregon.
Henry Leroy Hess
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| United States Attorney for the District of Oregon | |
| In office 1945–1954 | |
| Preceded by | Carl C. Donaugh |
| Member of the Oregon Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office January 9, 1933 – January 11, 1937 | |
| Preceded by | Colon R. Eberhard |
| Succeeded by | Clyde L. Kiddle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1890-10-12)October 12, 1890 Rexburg, Idaho, United States |
| Died | March 15, 1974(1974-03-15) (aged 83) Washington County, Oregon, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Madeline Owsley (m. 1964–74) |
| Children | 1 |
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Hess was born in 1890 in Rexburg, Idaho.[1]
ADemocrat, Hess served a term in the Oregon State Senate from 1933 until 1937, representing Union and Wallowa counties.[2][3]In1938, 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]
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee for Governor of Oregon 1938 |
Succeeded by |