Charles “Freddie” Ingalls Jr. – Biography

Charles “Freddie” Ingalls Jr. – Biography

Charles Frederick Ingalls Jr., better known as Freddie, was the fourth child and only son of Charles and Caroline Ingalls and was born November 1, 1875 in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. When he was nine months old, the baby began to lose weight, and despite a doctor being called, Baby Freddie died on August 27, 1876.  His death is recorded as “Fred Ingles” in county records on this date at an age of ten months, with the cause being diarrhea, although it is unknown what caused it.

It is unknown exactly where he is buried.  As the family was staying with Peter and Eliza Ingalls at the time, Freddie was buried on his farm and the exact location of the grave is not known.

There is some confusion about whether his middle name is spelled Frederick or Frederic, however, it is generally accepted that the accurate spelling is Frederick.

While his death is omitted from the Little House books, the death was included in Laura’s original manuscript Pioneer Girl.  A fictionalized version was also included in the television show Little House on the Prairie.