Bessie Victoria (Cupp) Neuman was born on November 20, 1889, in Kalona, Dodge County, Iowa. The daughter of James W. and Lina (Statter) Cupp, she came to the Arizona Territory in 1911. She had two brothers, Arthur Cupp and Willis Cupp.

Bessie taught school in Cherry, Yavapai County, for two years. She married Eugene Neuman on December 21, 1912, in Prescott.  He was born January 7, 1874.  He had moved to Prescott in 1901 to help rebuild downtown Prescott after the fire of 1900, which destroyed several downtown city blocks and businesses.  He also served as president of the First National Bank and manager of the Bashford-Burmister Dry Goods Store.

Bessie and Eugene planted the old Brookside Orchard with 2,000 apple trees, located at Granite Creek and White Spar Road. They owned all of Idyllwild and part of the Thumb Butte area.  They also bought a house on Pleasant Street as a rental property.  The Neumans were close friends with well-known artist, Kate T. Cory, who was a frequent visitor to their home.

In 1932, they moved to the house on 230 S. Pleasant Street. Bessie was active in the Monday Club, and she loved Prescott. She enjoyed the mile-high altitude, the beautiful snow-covered mountains in the winter and the heavenly climate in the summer.

Eugene died on July 31, 1967 in Prescott, and following his death, Bessie gave his collection of arrowheads and Indian artifacts to the Sharlot Hall Museum.

Bessie died in November 1976 and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Donor: Mrs. John Ernst
Photo Located: Eugene Neuman Collection - DB-107, F-8A
Updated: 9/2014, Gretchen Hough Eastman