Starting Over Again
After a few years in De Smet, the Wilders made their home in Missouri, moving to Mansfield in 1894. With their savings, they set up Rocky Ridge Farm on a piece of land on the outskirts of town, which they still lived in. They made a living selling firewood, which they would sell for just 50 cents, and began to rebuild their lives.
They planted apple trees, which Almanzo stands next to in this photograph. After seven years, the fruit grew, which helped their business. It also helped that Almanzo’s parents contributed to their rent. Things were looking up for Almanzo and Laura as they had accrued 200 acres of land, and they could finally move to their farm and sell off the house they lived in in the town. After 20 years, their farm became a success for them, and they sold fruit, poultry, and dairy.
