Bessie Lucretia was born March 1877 in Council Bluffs , Iowa to Rufus Nathan and Lucreita Maria Merriam. She had two brothers; Frederick Calvin, born 1872 and Harry Raymond. born 1875, and three sisters; Wynona "Winnie" born 1873-1876 (who she never knew), Ottie born 1879 and half-sister Rose born 1885. Mother Lucretia died in 1883, when Bessie was just six years and was buried in Fairview Cemetery where daughter Wynona "Winnie" was laid to rest. Father Rufus married again to widow Juliette Henderson and she became a step-mother to the children and also had several children of her own. They were a prominent family of Council Bluffs and members of the Presbyterian Church, where Bessie played the organ for special occasions. At one time, the family lived on Stutsman Street near their church. Mr. Rufus Merriam ran a successful grocery business and employed several assistants. Ovando Cowles, who was studying to become a lawyer, worked part time at Merriam grocery store where he met Bessie, who was the daughter of Rufus Merriam and worked at a book bindery business. He courted Bessie and they were married in June 1901 at her Presbyterian Church. Bessie and Ovando eventually took up farming near Norfolk, Nebraska and her father and his family settled in California in search a warmer climate. Bessie and Ovando were blessed with a large family consisting of seven girls; Georgia, Mary, Bessie, Nelle, Judy, Ruth, Patricia and one boy, Ovando Hollister Jr.
Bessie Lucretia was born March 1877 in Council Bluffs , Iowa to Rufus Nathan and Lucreita Maria Merriam. She had two brothers; Frederick Calvin, born 1872 and Harry Raymond. born 1875, and three sisters; Wynona "Winnie" born 1873-1876 (who she never knew), Ottie born 1879 and half-sister Rose born 1885. Mother Lucretia died in 1883, when Bessie was just six years and was buried in Fairview Cemetery where daughter Wynona "Winnie" was laid to rest. Father Rufus married again to widow Juliette Henderson and she became a step-mother to the children and also had several children of her own. They were a prominent family of Council Bluffs and members of the Presbyterian Church, where Bessie played the organ for special occasions. At one time, the family lived on Stutsman Street near their church. Mr. Rufus Merriam ran a successful grocery business and employed several assistants. Ovando Cowles, who was studying to become a lawyer, worked part time at Merriam grocery store where he met Bessie, who was the daughter of Rufus Merriam and worked at a book bindery business. He courted Bessie and they were married in June 1901 at her Presbyterian Church. Bessie and Ovando eventually took up farming near Norfolk, Nebraska and her father and his family settled in California in search a warmer climate. Bessie and Ovando were blessed with a large family consisting of seven girls; Georgia, Mary, Bessie, Nelle, Judy, Ruth, Patricia and one boy, Ovando Hollister Jr.
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