Jessie was born in Stillwater, Minnesota. Her birth date may have been September 6, 1872. Her father stated later he may have made a mistake on the date. She always celebrated it on September 7. Jessie was always known as "Gram" to her granddaughter, Kathryn Blewett. Her middle name may actually have been Wayne, although Kathryn and family called her Jessie Wynn. According to letter from Robina "Ruby" Pollack (MacAndrew) she was named for her Aunt Jessie Wayne who married her Uncle James MacAndrew.

Jessie and Irvin's son, Herbert Arthur Lotz, (Uncle Ted), said Jessie supposedly had a twin sister who was put up for adoption. Uncle Ted speculated that the family had fallen on hard times but more than likely it was because Jessie's mother, Christine had died in 1876. Jessie would have been 4 years old and Annie about 2. The one who was more than likely put up for adoption was probably Annie. She was only about two years old when her mother died. She was adopted by a Mr and Mrs. Evans. Apparently Jessie and Annie looked a great deal alike. Years later when Jessie met her sister the woman claimed to know nothing about it and denied being adopted. Annie married Arthur Mulvey.

Robina "Ruby" (MacAndrew) Pollack in a letter, dated November 30, 1957, to her half brother Verne Lotz, Uncle Ted's brother, stated that Robert MacAndrew's wife, Christine became ill with pneumonia and passed away when Jessie was about 3 years old. Actually Christine died November 15, 1876 when Jessie was 4. The letter further states that Jessie was watched after by Robert's mother, Elizabeth and sister-in-law, Aunt Jessie (Jessie Wayne) who had married, Robert's brother James. No mention is made of Annie.

Jessie and Irvin were married in her father, Robert, and step mother Agnes' home in Houlton, Wisconsin. She died at her home in New Richmond, Wisconsin in 1957 and is buried near Burkhardt, Wisconsin.