First Ladies of the United States: Bess Truman

Elizabeth Virginia (Bess) Wallace was born in Independence, Missouri, on February 13, 1885, to David Willock and Margaret Gates Wallace. While her mother's family was wealthy, her father's employment was spotty, and Bess was keenly aware of the tensions created by her mother's expectations and her father's failure to provide. As a child, Bess was athletic, personable, and exuded self-confidence. She was an excellent student, but her life was irrevocably changed when her father committed suicide in 1903. In shame, Margaret Gates moved the family to the Gates family mansion in Independence.

Although Bess's grandparents provided the financial support for her to finish high school at the prestigious Barstow School in Kansas City, she did not accompany her classmates as they entered college. Rather, she returned to Independence to care for her mother and brothers. There she became reacquainted with Harry Truman, a childhood friend, now running the family farm in Grandview, Missouri. Within three years, the couple were engaged, but they did not marry until Harry returned from World War I (June 28, 1919). Following their honeymoon, the couple established their home in the Gates family mansion. Bess helped Harry, who had entered the haberdashery business, and continued to care for her mother. The business failed, and Harry entered politics, being elected judge for the Eastern District of Jackson County in 1922. In 1924, their only child, Mary Margaret, was born...