Peter Hess was born in Tschestereg Hungary in 1881. He immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's and settled for a time in Cincinnati Ohio after finding life in the Dakotas too extreme. He and his famiy moved from Cincinnati to Michigan, and began life as farm laborers. After many struggles the family moved to Detroit Michigan. Peter eventually owned a candy store in Detroit.

Peter's parents were Matthias Hess and Catherine Kappler. They had at least 2 other children, Nickolas born about 1875 and Matthew born about 1883.

Peter died in Detroit MI in 1953 and is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit MI.