Jessie Estell James is a lady who enjoyed fame because of her grandfather’s outlaw life. Jessie’s grandfather, famous as Jesse James was a famous criminal who robbed banks, trains and led gangs for sixteen years.
Jessie’s grandfather was a notorious criminal who worked closely with his brother and cousin, until he was shot by a fellow criminal who hoped to collect a reward which was placed on James’s head.
While Jesse James died many years ago, he has remained to be remembered partly because of his family. His only surviving son has continued to grow his generation, making it to be remembered for many years. Jessie is one of the four granddaughters of Jessie James, and this is her story.
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Bio
Jessie Estell James was born on August 27, 1906 in Kansas City, Clay County, Missouri. She was the third daughter in a family of four girls. She was famous as the granddaughter of Jesse James, a famous outlaw who was wanted for many years.
When Estelle was born, her father was only 30 years, while her mother was 24. Jessie’s father was the only surviving son of Jesse James, and he married Stella Frances McGown and had four children with her. While Jessie’s grandfather led a famous life in crime, she led a low life, away from her grandfather’s crime.
Jessie spent most of the years in Kansas City, where the family operated a small business. Her father was acquitted of robbery charges, after which he led a modern life, working hard to become a lawyer.
Jessie married Mervyn Baumel and lived together for the rest of their lives. It seems she had at least one daughter and a son, although they are not named in her memorial.
Jessie died on February 2, 1987 and she was survived by her two sisters. Her service was held in Forest Lawn Memorial Park where she was laid to rest.
Siblings
Jessie Estell James was the third-born in a family of four girls. Her parents welcomed Lucille Martha James in 1900 and Josephine Frances in 1903. Ethel Rose James Owens was the youngest in the family, having been born in 1908, two years after Jessie’s birth.
At the time of Jessie’s death, she was survived by her eldest sister Lucille Martha who died in 1988, and Ethel Rose who died in 1991.
Why is Jessie Estell James Famous?
Jessie Estell came into the limelight because of her grandfather, Jesse James. He was a famous outlaw in the United States, who robbed banks and trains among other things. He was also a gang leader who worked closely with his brother and cousin.
Jessie’s grandfather gained fame nationally, often because of sympathy, despite of the brutality of his crimes. The James brothers were active in gangs between 1866 to 1876, but some of the gang members were captured or killed. They continued recruiting new members to continue their operations, until in on 1882 when James Jesse was shot and killed by a new recruit who wanted a reward and was promised amnesty for his other crimes.
