What was Lauras nickname?
The first four years of their marriage were very difficult years. They experienced crop loss, their house burned and they were both sick with diphtheria. Laura, Almanzo and daughter Rose went to stay with his family in Minnesota. At that time Almanzo’s sister Laura was living there also. With two Laura’s in the house it became very confusing so Almanzo started calling Laura “Bess”. This was short for Laura Elizabeth. This nickname would follow Laura all through her life.