My paternal grandfather,George Kellogg Hess Sr., had a first wife before he married my grandmother. His first wife, Jane Agens, died at a very young age from tuberculosis. George and Jane had no children together.

One day, I had the stark realization that my very presence on this earth was because my grandfather chose to re-marry. I wanted to make sure that my family story included the story of his first wife, and the great love that my grandfather shared with her. In my mind, their story is also a part of my life story! 

My father told stories about my grandfather’s romance and devotion to his first wife. My father told me that even when his father was not allowed into the sick room, he would sit outside her window and read to her. I pictured that sweet scene many times. I found a photo of my grandfather seated on a window sill. I do not know the date of the photo, but have imagined this could have been him waiting on his wife.

George Kellogg Hess, Sr. 1891-1969

Jane Ellen Agens was born on June 5, 1894, in Ludington, Michigan. At the age of 22, she married George Kellogg Hess on April 21, 1917, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She died on March 7, 1919, at the age of 24, and was buried in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

The ID# for Jane on FamilySearch.org is 9DD5-PN7.  This is a free website.

This is the link for Jane on FindaGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97244185.