Name Seasons No. of episodes Portrayer Character summary Almanzo Wilder 6 -- 9 65 Dean Butler Farmer; Laura 's husband (season 7); Rose 's father; nicknamed "Manly '' by Laura Adam Kendall 4 -- 8 35 Linwood Boomer Teacher of the blind; Mary 's husband (season 5) Adam Kendall Jr. 6 Unknown Adam and Mary 's son; dies in fire with Alice Garvey Jenny Wilder 9 18 Shannen Doherty Almanzo 's niece, whom he gets custody of after his brother / her father Royal dies Eliza Jane Wilder 6 -- 8 14 Lucy Lee Flippin Teacher; Almanzo 's older sister
who played jenny wilder on little house on the prairie
Shannen Doherty