Jessie Laird Trout - Titanic Universe

Who was Mrs Jessie Laird Trout?

Mrs Jessie Laird Trout was a Scottish-born Titanic survivor whose life was marked by tragedy and resilience. Born in 1884, she survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, only to face a cruel twist of fate 18 years later when she died in a car accident involving ice.

Early Life and Family

Born on November 1, 1884, in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Jessie Laird Bruce came from a large family deeply rooted in Scottish soil. Her parents, George Bruce (1857-1940) and Mary Anne Booth (1856-1938), were both natives of Strichen, Aberdeenshire. Jessie was one of eleven children, eight of whom are known:

Margaret (born circa 1881)
Nellie (born 1887)
Jemima (born 1888)
Alexander (born 1890)
John (born 1892)
Charles (born 1884)
Robert (born 1889)
Lottie (born 1891)

From Scotland to North America

The Bruce family’s life took a significant turn in the early 20th century. In 1901, they were residing at Uppermill Cottage in Tarves, Aberdeenshire. However, the allure of new opportunities across the Atlantic led the family to emigrate to North America in 1904. While Jessie’s path would lead her to Ohio, her parents ultimately settled in Minnesota, establishing new roots in the American Midwest.

Marriage and Loss

A Brief Union

On March 28, 1911, Jessie married William Henry Trout in Franklin, Ohio. William, born on October 4, 1876, in Alexandria, Licking, Ohio, worked as a brakeman for the Hocking Valley Railway. The couple settled in Columbus, Ohio, embarking on what they hoped would be a long life together.

Tragedy Strikes

Sadly, their marriage was cut tragically short. On September 22, 1911, just six months after their wedding, William died in a work-related accident. At the young age of 35, he was crushed while on duty, leaving Jessie a widow at 27 years old.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Jessie on the Titanic?

In the wake of her husband’s death, Jessie, still in mourning, decided to return to Britain to visit family, including her grandparents and sister Margaret. This visit took place in early 1912.

Titanic Voyage Details

For her return journey to Columbus, Jessie booked passage on the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Here are the key details of her voyage:

Class: 2nd Class passenger
Ticket Number: 240929
Ticket Cost: £12, 13s (equivalent to about £1,500 in 2023)
Embarkation: Southampton
Lifeboat: 9

Survival and Rescue

Jessie was one of the fortunate passengers who survived the sinking of the Titanic. She managed to escape the doomed vessel in lifeboat 9, joining the ranks of the 706 survivors of the maritime disaster.

Life After the Titanic

Second Marriage and Family

After returning to Columbus, Jessie found love again and remarried shortly after her Titanic ordeal. Her second husband was Harvey Walter Bortner, born on July 15, 1883, in Pennsylvania. The couple settled in Michigan and started a family, having three children:

Bruce (1915-1977)
Mary Elizabeth (1920-1975)
Frances Isabel (1922-1990)

Interestingly, their firstborn son, Bruce, was born on April 14, 1915 - exactly three years after the night the Titanic struck the iceberg.

Life in Michigan

The Bortner family made their home in Arbela, Tuscola, Michigan, where they lived on a farm worked by Harvey. This rural setting provided a stark contrast to Jessie’s earlier life and her harrowing experience on the Titanic.

A Tragic End

Ice Claims Another Victim

In a cruel twist of fate, ice once again played a pivotal role in Jessie’s life. On December 30, 1930, Jessie, now 46 (forty-six) years old, was traveling with her family in their car several miles from home. The vehicle hit a patch of black ice and veered off the road. In a moment of panic, Jessie threw herself from the skidding car, a decision that would prove fatal. The car rolled over, crushing her. While her husband and children escaped with minor injuries, Jessie succumbed to her injuries.

Legacy

Jessie Laird Trout Bortner was laid to rest in Pine Grove Cemetery, Millington, Tuscola, Michigan. Her widower, Harvey, never remarried and continued to live in Arbela until his death in 1964 at the age of 80. All of Jessie’s children married and raised families of their own, with most remaining in Michigan, except for her son Bruce, who moved to Iowa.

Jessie’s life, though cut short, was a testament to human resilience. From the green fields of Scotland to the icy waters of the North Atlantic and finally to the farmlands of Michigan, her journey was one of survival, love, and ultimately, tragedy. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s far-reaching impact on individual lives and the unpredictable nature of fate.