Introduction
Frank B. Jess was born in Philadelphia on November 3, 1870, and came to Camden as a child. He began his career as a newspaper reporter for several publications before studying law and being admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1897. After moving to Haddon Heights in 1898, he served in multiple civic roles including borough solicitor and member of the New Jersey Legislature.
Jess was elected Speaker of the House in 1908 and later served on several state boards, including the Board of Equalization of Taxes and the State Board of Taxes and Assessment. In February 1924, Governor Silzer appointed him to the Circuit Court. He was married to Louise K. Belding and had three children, two of whom served with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.
South Jersey: A History 1624–1924
was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 3, 1870, a son of Levi B. and Emma (Watson) Jess, the latter of whom was born in 1846, and died in 1916. Levi B. Jess was born in 1842, and died in 1918. He served throughout the Civil War as a member of Company D, Sixth New Jersey Infantry.
In early life, Mr. Jess came with his parents to Camden and since has resided in Camden County. After completing the public school course in Camden he took up newspaper work, first as a reporter on the old Camden “Daily Post”. He went from the “Post” to the Philadelphia “News” and later to the “Call.” Subsequently, he joined the staff of “The Evening Bulletin,” serving successively as news editor, Washington correspondent and financial editor. He registered as a student at law with his brother, the late William H. Jess, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1897, since which time he has devoted himself to the general practice of the law.
Mr. Jess moved to Haddon Heights in 1898. He assisted in the organization of the borough government for that community, and served in the first Borough Council and later in its Board of Education. He was for many years solicitor of the borough. He was elected to the House of Assembly of the New Jersey Legislature in 1907, and the following year was reelected and chosen Speaker of the House. He was appointed chief examiner of the first Civil Service Commission of New Jersey. He served in that office until he was named by Governor Fort as a member of the Board of Equalization of Taxes. In 1910 he became the president of that board and served until 1915, when he was appointed to the newly-created State Board of Taxes and Assessment. While still a member of that board he was appointed in February, 1924, by Governor Silzer, to the Circuit Court. He is a charter member of Haddon Heights Lodge, No. 191, Free and Accepted Masons, and also is a member of the Camden Club.
Mr. Jess was married, at Camden, on April 4, 1893, to Louise K. Belding, a daughter of Theodore F. and Mary (Mumford) Belding. To Mr. and Mrs. Jess have been born three children: William H., born December 28, 1893;
Frank Nelson, born February 12, 1896; and Everett M., born January 23, 1913. Both William H. and Frank Nelson volunteered when the United States entered the World War and served with the American Expeditionary Forces.
Portrait and biography of Frank B. Jess from South Jersey: A History 1624–1924
Frank B. Jess was born in Philadelphia, November 3, 1870, the son of Levi B. Jess, a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company D, Sixth New Jersey Infantry, and Emma Watson Jess. He came to Camden when a child and was educated in the public schools of that city. Early in life he took up newspaper work and was a reporter on the Camden Daily Post, the Philadelphia News, the Call and the Evening Bulletin, being news editor, Washington correspondent and financial editor of the latter publication. He studied law with his brother, William H. Jess, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1897.
In 1898 Mr. Jess moved to Haddon Heights and took an active part in the organization of the borough government, being a member of the first Borough Council and Board of Education. He was borough solicitor for a number of years and in 1907 was elected to the Legislature, being chosen Speaker of the House in 1908. He was chief examiner of the first Civil Service Commission of New Jersey. He was appointed by Governor Fort to the Board of Equalization of Taxes and in 1910 was president of that board. In 1915 he was appointed to the State Board of Taxes and Assessment. In February, 1924, Governor Silzer appointed him to the Circuit Court.
Judge Jess is a charter member of Haddon Heights Lodge No. 191, F. and A.M., and is a member of the Camden Club.
He was married at Camden, April 4, 1893, to Louise K. Belding. They have three children: William H., born December 28, 1893; Frank Nelson, born February 12, 1896; and Everett M., born January 23, 1913. Both William H. and Frank Nelson served with the American Expeditionary Forces during the World War.