Ingalls Family Genealogy & History

Mary Amelia Ingalls, born on January 10, 1865, in Pepin, Wisconsin, is best known as the older sister of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the famous author of the Little House series. Despite suffering from blindness at 14, reportedly due to viral encephalitis, Mary demonstrated resilience by completing a seven-year course at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, Iowa. She contributed to her family's income by making fly nets for horses and later lived with her sisters after her parents' deaths. Mary Ingalls' legacy is also recognized in popular culture, where she was portrayed by Melissa Sue Anderson in the television series "Little House on the Prairie."

Mary was the first child of Caroline and Charles Ingalls, part of a pioneering American family. She grew up alongside her siblings in various locations, including De Smet, South Dakota. Her family life was central to her identity, with close ties to her sisters, particularly Grace Ingalls Dow and Carrie Ingalls Swanzey, with whom she lived in her later years. Mary Ingalls' family heritage is intertwined with the pioneering spirit of the American Midwest.

Caroline Lake Ingalls, born on December 12, 1839, was an American schoolteacher and the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the renowned author of the Little House books. Depicted as "Ma" in both the books and the television series, Caroline played a fundamental role in her family's pioneer life. She married Charles Phillip Ingalls, and together they traveled extensively across the Midwest, eventually settling in De Smet, Dakota Territory. Her life and experiences were pivotal in shaping the stories that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Caroline was born to Henry and Charlotte Quiner in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and was the fifth of seven children. Her father passed away in a tragic ship accident when she was five. Caroline’s mother later married Frederick Holbrook, and this union brought a half-sister, Lottie, into the family.

Charles Phillip Ingalls was an American pioneer and farmer, renowned as the father of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the famous Little House series. Not only a farmer, Charles was also a skilled carpenter, government official, and musician, known for his violin playing. His life was marked by a strong wanderlust, leading his family across various states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Dakota Territory. In De Smet, Dakota Territory, he held positions such as Justice of the Peace and deputy sheriff, contributing significantly to the community.

Charles Ingalls was born in Cuba, New York, the third of nine children to Lansford Whiting Ingalls and Laura Louise Colby. His father hailed from Dunham, Quebec, with English and Massachusetts Bay Colony roots, while his mother was a descendant of early Massachusetts immigrant Edmund Rice. The Ingalls family is also connected to the Delano family, ancestors of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Mayflower passenger Richard Warren. Charles married Caroline Lake Quiner, and together they raised five children, including Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Carrie Ingalls Swanzey, born on August 3, 1870, in Montgomery County, Kansas, was the third child of Charles and Caroline Ingalls. Known for her connection to the famous Little House books by her sister Laura Ingalls Wilder, Carrie was a typesetter and worked for newspapers across South Dakota. Her marriage to David N. Swanzey linked her to the history of Mount Rushmore, as her stepson Harold contributed to its construction. Carrie settled in Keystone, South Dakota, and despite her frail health, she was actively involved in her community until her passing in 1946 due to diabetes complications.

Carrie Ingalls was the daughter of Charles and Caroline Ingalls. She was one of the siblings in the Ingalls family, which became renowned through Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series. Her family faced numerous hardships, particularly during the harsh winter of 1880–1881. Carrie became a stepmother to David Swanzey's children, further enriching her family ties.