Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois & History of St. Clair County, Ill. 1907

Joseph Fuess, President of the First National Bank of Belleville and also of the Fuess-Fischer Company, an extensive dry goods concern, was born in Baden, Germany, March 10, 1842. He is the son of Joseph Fuess, who came from Germany to St. Clair County, where he died in 1879.

Joseph Fuess worked on the home farm until he was sixteen years old, attending the public school during the winter months. Then he came to Belleville with his parents, and was a pupil in the Rau & Noetling school for one year.

In April, 1861, he enlisted for three months' service in the Union army, and was mustered out November 1, 1865. His first enlistment was in the Ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he was made Second Sergeant. He was promoted to be Second Lieutenant, to fill a vacancy caused by the battle of Shiloh, where he was on duty as Orderly Sergeant. Subsequently he was made First Lieutenant to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of his predecessor. On his re-enlistment, after the first three years' service, he was advanced to the Captaincy of Company E, Forty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Little Rock Ark. He participated in the battles of Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), and Corinth, taking part in all the engagements of his regiment without receiving a wound. At Shiloh the regiment suffered terrible loss, going into battle with but eight companies, aggregating 268 men. In the charge made during the first hour at Shiloh, the loss in killed amount to one-fifth of its strength.

After his discharge from service, Mr. Fuess returned to Belleville and engaged in the dry goods business on East Main Street, under the firm style of Espenheim, Fuess & Company, which later became Fuess, Espenheim & Fischer. It continued thus until 1900, when Mr. Espenheim retired from the firm and the title was changed to the Fuess-Fischer Company. In 1883 the concern moved into his present building, 30 by 140 feet in dimensions, and containing two stories and a basement. The company has been twice incorporated, the last time being in 1900, when the capital stock and reduced to $60,000, and Joseph Fuess was elected president and William J. Fischer, Secretary and Treasurer.

Mr. Fuess has been twice married. He was first wedded in Belleville to Eliza Fischer, a sister of his partner in the dry goods store, and a daughter of Joseph Fischer, an old resident in the county. She died in 1879, having had five children:

Josephine Fuess m: W.Merck & E.Wangelin
Edward J. Fuess m: Pauline F. Deubler
Walter W. Fuess m: Wanda Wangelin
Aldolph C. Fuess
Ferdinand L. Fuess

In 1881 he married his first wife's sister, Anna Fischer, by whom he has had four children:

Camilla Fuess m: Morrison Koerner
Elizabeth "Elise" Fuess m: Arthur C. Becker
Harry E. Fuess
Lillian D. Fuess m: Henry R. Henius

The facts stated in this narrative make expressions of favorable comment almost superfluous. The life itself speaks more significantly than words. A steadfast and gallant soldier of the Union, a clear-headed and upright business man and a useful and progressive citizen, Mr. Fuess has made a record which reflects credit on the city of his residence.
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SIBLINGS:
William Fuess
Henry Fuess
Mary Fuess m. Sam Schimminger
Charles Fuess

NOTES:
~ 1st married Elisebeth Fischer May 1, 1866
~ 2nd married Anna Fischer May 7, 1881