Bess Steeter Aldrich was an American author born in 1881 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She wrote over 200 short stories and 13 novels throughout her career. Some of her notable works include "Mother Mason" published in 1924 and "A Lantern in Her Hand" published in 1928. Aldrich lived in Elmwood, Nebraska for 37 years before moving to Lincoln in 1946. She died in 1954 at the age of 72 and was buried beside her late husband.