John Roehm owner of the brewery which bears his name in Philadelphia, was born in Germany.

Henry Hess was born in Dublin, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The gentle and pleasant Philadelphia brewer first got a job with shot manufacturer Thomas Sparks, then became a Clerk at the Betz Brewing Co. in Philadelphia and was soon promoted to collector. In 1886 he partnered to form Spaeth, Krautter & Hess's Anchor Brewery. When that firm was merged into the Consumer's brewing Company syndicate he was put in charge of the North Plant. He and Elizabeth Volpe married in September of 1879, a union that produced eight children. Henry Hess died at age 50 years on June 24, 1909. The brewery continued in his name until 1912.