Jesse Denney was the son of Rolandis and Elizabeth Jane (Bell) Denney.  He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 20, 1883.  Rolandis and Elizabeth Denney had nine children; Elva (1872), Francis (1874), Nellie (1876), Arlena (1878), Bessie (1880), Jesse (1883), Lucy (1887), Celia (1889), Milo (1892).  In the 1900 Federal Census, Jesse is 16 years old and working as a farm laborer most likely for his father who is a farmer. The census record indicate that the four youngest children, Jesse, Lucy, Celia and Milo, are still living at home.

Jesse Denney married Luretta B. Nickleson on March 30, 1906 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  In a 1914 Fort Wayne Directory, Jesse and Luretta live at 1317 Michigan Avenue and his occupation is listed as “teammster”. By 1918, when Jesse register for the draft for WWI, Jess , Luretta and their children have moved to Tipton, Michigan.  He states that his birthday is 1883, contrary to the year listed on his tombstone of 1884.  He indicates that he is working for Charles Pangburn and that he is a farmer.  He also indicate that the address of his employer is Webster Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana but his address is in Michigan.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Jesse and his family are living in Franklin, Michigan. He and Loretta have six children; Mary (1907), Addie(1909), Walter (1911), Flossie Mae (1913), Thelma (1916) and Robert (1920). Jesse lists his occupation as farmer. By the 1930 Federal Census, Jesse and Loretta are living in Macon, Lenawee County, Michigan. They have have six children who remain at home with two daughter who were born after the 1920 Census; W Walter, Flossie Mae, Thelma M., Robert O, Annabelle (1922), Ruth F. (1924).

By the time of the WWII draft registration Jesse is living in Yoder, Indiana working for George Irmscher & Sons, Inc. on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne.

Seventy three years ago today, March 10, 1947, Jesse Denney died in Fort Wayne, Indiana of a coronary occlusion based on his death certificate.

Jesse was buried in the Uniontown Cemetery in Wells County, Indiana near Zanesville.

Rest in peace, Jesse

Love. Jan

Jesse Denney was my first cousin three times removed.