Bettie Ellen Drennon was born Nov. 13, 1843 at Frankfort, Kentucky. Her mother died when she was six years of age and in her early childhood she removed to Liberty, Missouri, where she made her home with her aunts. In this vicinity she grew to young womanhood and was united in marriage to John T. Jesse, who preceded her to their eternal home Jan. 8, 1905.

To this union ten children were born, two of these, she survived. Charles F. departed this life in July 1907, and George, Mar. 1st, 1927. The eight who survive her are: Robert of Topeka, Kansas, Mrs. Hattie Graves of Alva, Oklahoma, Mrs. Sarah Toombs, of Los Angeles, California, John M., of Woodward, Oklahoma, Mrs. Mayme Toombs of Wamego, Kansas, Mrs. Blanche Hartley, of Lake City, Kansas, and Mrs. Bettie Mills and Mrs. Jane Kimball of Medicine Lodge. Twenty-nine grandchildren also survive her. The living children with the exception of Robert and Mrs. Sarah Toombs, were all present and ministered to her in her last illness, and were present at the funeral paying their last tribute of respect to a considerate and loving mother.

In 1879 she moved with her family to Holton, Kansas, and in 1883 to the homestead west of this city. On September 16, 1893, they joined the caravan that moved from Kansas to Oklahoma in the famous run into the Cherokee Strip, but in 1903 again returned to the old homestead in this county where she maintained her residence continuously since. On September 26th last she was stricken with her last illness and was confined to her bed continuously until October 27th, at 4:15 p.m. when her maker called her home.

35 years ago Mrs. Jesse was converted to the faith of the Seventh Day Advents. Though a strict adherent to, and advocate of that faith, she was ever tolerant with the faith of others, and this toleration was exemplified in her request that Rev. J. E. Barber of the Church of God be secured if possible to preach her funeral sermon.

Grandma Jesse was a representative of a type of citizenry that is rapidly passing. She was among those hardy pioneers who endured the trials, inconveniences and hardships of frontier life so that future generations might reap the rewards. Though permitted to remain to a ripe old age, such as she pass all too soon. Loving and dutiful as a wife, kind, considerate and affectionate as a mother, true and faithful as a friend and neighbor, those who join the stricken relatives in mourning her loss are legion. We shall miss her kindly ministrations, her counsel and her aid, yet console ourselves with the blessings she bestowed, and in humility submit to the will of him who doeth all things well. - Contributed.

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The house of the John T. Jesse Family , Barber County, Kansas, photo taken in December 2006.
The house is about 200 yards east of the John T. Jesse burial site.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Lee.

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From the site guestbook:

Name: Clara Hoag Louthan
E-mail: louthan@giantcomm.net
Date: 2006-08-29
Comments: Thanks for posting the obit for Mrs. Jesse on the website. Aunt Hattie and I shared the same birthday. Also Bettie Mills was a close friend to my father Mitchell Hoag and Florence Graves Hoag. I would like to see Bettie Jesse Mills', Medicine Lodge Ks., obituary. I think she had a daughter?

Clara

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Also see:

Jesse Cemetery - family cemetery on private land west of Medicine Lodge, burial place of John T. Jesse.

Confederate Veterans Meeting, 1892, Barber County Index, May 16, 1892. (John T. Jesse was a Confederate veteran.)

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

This RootsWeb website is being created by Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was created 11 September 2005.