Rousseau Family Papers

The Rousseau Family Papers are named for Margaret Elizabeth “Bessie” Rousseau. Bessie Rousseau was born around 1882 probably in Eureka, Nevada, and graduated from the University of Nevada in 1900. She passed away May 31, 1900 only two days after graduating.

Margaret Elizabeth Cottle, Bessie’s mother, was born in Illinois around 1855 and was married to Solomon Rousseau on January 30, 1878 in Truckee, California. By 1881, Margaret, Solomon, and Margaret’s mother, Rebecca Rich Cottle, were living in Eureka, Nevada. Mrs. Cottle was a widow by this time and there is evidence that she owned land in Colorado County, Texas. Around 1900, the Rousseau family and Mrs. Cottle had moved to Reno. On August 5, 1902, Margaret received a music teacher’s certificate from the State of Nevada. Around 1903, the Rousseau family built a home at 134 Elm street, where it appears Margaret gave guitar and mandolin lessons.

Rebecca Rich Cottle married Barzilla Cottle on September 29, 1847 in Whiteside County, Illinois. Barzilla was born in Massachusetts and is known to have lived in Nantucket in 1838. In the same year, he was appointed surgeon in the U. S. Army and he was with the troops that moved the Cherokees from Georgia. On February 13, 1857, he was demitted from Stewart Lodge No. 92, Masons, Geneseo, Illinois and, from 1862-1863, acted as a contract surgeon at Fort Donelson. In the late 1860s and early 1870s, it appears that the Cottles had moved to Ahundiaguara, Brazil before relocating to Eureka, Nevada. In the 1880 census, Rebecca is recorded as a widow.