WI BIO - Dane Co - FESS, George E.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 467-469

George E. FESS, who was one of the well known citizens of Madison, Dane 
County, Wisconsin, for many years the genial host of one of the leading 
hotels of Madison, Wisconsin, was born in Gloucestershire, England, 18 March 
1816, reared there by English parents, and learned the trade of shoemaker. 
He was yet a young man when he left home and came to America. After landing 
here he made his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and secured a position as 
steward on a Lake Michigan steamer, in which position he remained for some 
time. While serving in that capacity he fell overboard and was nearly 
drowned, but finally rescued with a boat hook. He looked to be dead, but 
some charitable ladies insisted on having him taken to a drug store, and 
after strenuous efforts was restored to consciousness, but was sick for about 
six months. After his recovery he came to Madison in 1842, and engaged as 
cook in Webster's restaurant, the [p 468] latter being an acquaintance of his 
in Milwaukee.

Later Mr. FESS engaged with the American House, where he remained some time; 
then accepted the position of caterer for ex-Governor FARWELL, of Madison, 
Wisconsin. Although George E. FESS started here a very poor man, so 
industrious was he and so faithful to all duties imposed, that in time he 
began to accumulate money of his own, and finally was able to build the Fess 
House. This hotel was only a small one at first, but so successful was he in 
pleasing his patrons that business increased until he became one of the best 
known innkeepers in the city, and accompanied a large percentage of the 
traveling public. All who knew him felt assured that they would receive 
nothing but the best of attention at his hands. He was respected as a good 
and generous man, and had many friends in Madison and this part of the State. 
Independent in political views, he believed in allowing others the same 
privilege. He cheerfully gave of his substance to support the Methodist 
Church, in which he held membership, and was equally willing to aid in any 
good work.

George E. FESS was the only member of his family who came to this country to 
remain, although he had a brother, Harry FESS, who spent three years here, 
but is now living in Queenstown, Australia, where a brother, John FESS, is 
also living, having become very wealthy. Another brother, Charles FESS, died 
in England, although his family now reside in Australia. The parents of our 
subject lived and died in their native land, the father passing away in 
Gloucestershire, and the mother in the same shire. The former was an 
overseer in a factory.

George E. FESS was married in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, to Miss Anna 
D. ROSSBACK, born in Wynon, Saxony, Germany, 13 November 1832, daughter of 
Mathias and Dora F. (WENTZEH) ROSSBACK, natives of Germany. The mother died 
in her native land in 1840, when only thirty-two, leaving her husband with 
four little children, one of whom was only a few weeks old. Seven years 
later, in 1847, the husband started with his children for America, sailing 
from the harbor of Bremen, Germany, to Quebec, Canada, where he arrived after 
a voyage of eleven weeks. From Quebec they proceeded to Milwaukee by boat; 
thence over the unbroken country to Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wisconsin, 
where Mathias ROSSBACK, assisted by his aged mother, who came with them, 
settled his little ones on a Government claim, which he proceeded to 
cultivate into a comfortable home. Six years after landing his mother died 
of the dreaded cholera, when sixty-six years of age. Mathias ROSSBACK 
continued to reside on his farm for some years, but later retired to the Fess 
House, and remained there until his death, six years later, at the age of 
eighty-two years. He was a noble, good man, a public spirited citizen and a 
true Christian.

Mrs. George E. FESS [nee Anna D. ROSSBACK] was the only daughter of the 
family, but has three brothers: Jeremiah, John Casper, and John Conrad, all 
of whom are farmers in the northern part of Wisconsin, and all are blessed 
with families. No woman was ever a truer helpmate to her husband, in the 
best sense of the word, than was Mrs. FESS. She directed all the culinary 
operations, and it was largely due to her aid in this department that the 
Fess House gained so wide a reputation for its homelike cookery and service. 
When the death of George E. FESS occurred, 05 December 1875, at the Fess 
House, Mrs. FESS took the reins of the establishment into her own hands, and 
for sixteen years continued to carry on the business, maintaining the 
excellence of service for which it was famed. Quite [p 469] recently she 
turned the business over to her son, George FESS, Jr., who is now the present 
successful manager of this well known hostelry, which was more than doubled 
by his mother during her reign of sixteen years. George E. is the eldest 
child of his parents, and married Miss Delia McMAHOON. John W., the second 
child, still resides at home, while Charles, Edward and Anna D. are also at 
home, the latter being an artist of no mean ability.

Mrs. Anna D. (ROSSBACK) FESS was married again, her second husband being Mr. 
Perry DOOLITTLE, a native of Boone County, New York, who came west to 
Wisconsin, locating at Dayton, Green County, where he remained some years, 
employed as a carriage finisher and cabinet maker. Perry DOOLITTLE died in 
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, 21 February 1887, aged sixty-one years.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly