1520 Lowell - Welcome to HPNA

The first photo is from 2025 and the next photo is from 2002.

1520 Lowell

Previous house number was 1420

FIRST LISTED IN CITY DIRECTORY : 1906

RESIDENTS

1906-1932 William B. Jess

1935 Mrs. Louise Jess

1938-1950 Robert E. Jess

1951-1975 Alvey H. Jess

1976-2008 Bradley C. & Carolyn E. Swanson

2008 – Mark E. & Grainne Mahoney

William Jess (1875-1935) had 1520 Lowell built in 1906. William was born in Riverton to Robert W and Alice Agee Jess. He attended Springfield High School, Lawrenceville Prep School and Princeton. He entered the coal mining business with his father, a native of Ireland, who first came to Springfield in 1857. In time, the Peabody Coal Company bought 7 of the mines owned by the Jess family in Riverton, Springfield, and Taylorville but retained William Jess as district manager. Jess was also active in banking, the Central Illinois Light Company, the Sangamo Club, Illini Country Club and various fraternal organizations. The house at 1520 remained with the Jess family for 70 years.

William B. Jess, Jr. (1911-1988) circa 1920s

Katherine Jess Kinahan (1908-2001) circa 1920s

Four generations: Louise Boley Jess (1876-1942) with her daughter Katherine beside her. In the center is Louise’s mother and Louise’s grandmother is on the far right. Circa early 1910s

For more information, see HPNA newsletter March 1, 2012.