The Rock Island (IL) Argus; 3 April 1890; Obituary of Peter Hesser:
SUDDEN DEATH
Peter Hesser Found Dead in his Yard---The Inquest and Other Facts.
Foster, April 3 -- Peter Hesser, an old resident of Drury township, was found dead in his feed lot on Tuesday. He was out to vote in the morning feeling as well as usual, and he ate his dinner and went out to do some chores. In about fifteen minutes his wife found him dead. John E Wray held an inquest, and the verdict was that he died of heart disease. The deceased was 80 years, 2 months and 23 days old. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, and was married to Miss Minerva Rouch of Wyndotte county, Ohio, who lived but a few months. His second marriage was to Miss Mary Ann Horn [sic - Hahn or Hohn], of the same county. In 1834 he moved to Muscatine county, Iowa, then a territory, and laid a claim to quarter section of land, in what is now known as Sweetland township. He ran the ferry known as the Ball of Wyoming ferry to the Illinois City landing. His wife died leaving him with three children. In 1837 [sic - 1839], at Wyoming Hill, Muscatine Co., he married Miss Hannah Hannan. In 1840 he sold his farm and moved to Lynn [sic - Linn] Co., Ia, but he only lived there a short time when he moved back to Ohio. Being dissatisfied there he soon returned to Rock Island Co., where he resided up to this time. He was the father of thirteen children. He leaves a wife and nine children to mourn his loss. He was a member of the Baptist church and respected by all who knew him. The funeral took place today at one o'clock P.M.

I would very much like to exchange information on this Hesser family - a tangled web, to be sure. I live directly north of Muscatine Co., IA and across the river from Rock Island Co., IL. Another Hesser researcher in this area would be great as a day trip companion to do on-site research with me.