Married His Childhood Friend: Elizabeth Virginia Wallace
Truman was friends with Elizabeth "Bess" Virginia Wallace from childhood. She traveled to Kansas City to attend a finishing school before going back to Independence. He was 35 and she was 34 when they got married, which was after World War I. Bess spent as little time in Washington, D.C., as she could get away with since she did not love her position as First Lady.
On February 13, 1885, Elizabeth Virginia Wallace was born in Independence, Missouri. When she was five and he was six, they first met in Sunday school. They went to the same elementary and secondary schools. Approximately 20 miles from Independence, near Grandview, Missouri, Mr. Truman started working on his grandfather Young's farm after receiving his degree. In 1910, Harry Truman started dating Bess. Their relationship lasted nine years. The wedding was postponed due to World War I, but it finally took place on June 28, 1919. Margaret, their lone child, was born on February 17, 1924. Truman was chosen as a candidate for vice president of the United States in 1944 after being elected to the US Senate in 1934. Bess Truman succeeded her husband as the 33rd President of the United States on April 20, 1945, the day after President Roosevelt passed away. Being a very private person, Mrs. Truman chose to live in Missouri for most of her husband's presidency, visiting Washington only during the holiday season.
She went back to Independence, Missouri, and to her grandfather's home at 219 Delaware Street with Harry S. Truman. She was a proud grandmother, a loving wife, and a mother. Truman passed away on December 26, 1972.
