Lansford Whiting Ingalls and Laura Louise Colby Ingalls: The Paternal Grandparents of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Early Life
Lansford Whiting Ingalls and Laura Louise Colby Ingalls were the paternal grandparents of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the celebrated author of the “Little House on the Prairie” series. Their lives and values greatly influenced their son, Charles Philip Ingalls, and subsequently their granddaughter, Laura.
Lansford Whiting Ingalls was born on May 14, 1812, in Dunham, Quebec, Canada, to Samuel Worthen Ingalls and Margaret (Delano) Ingalls. Laura Louise Colby was born on January 7, 1810, in possibly New York, to Nathan and Eunice (Blood) Colby. The couple met and married on June 17, 1832, in Holland, Erie County, New York.
Moving Westward and Family Life
Like many pioneers of their time, Lansford and Laura Louise Ingalls were drawn to the opportunities offered by the American West. In the early 1840s, the couple moved their family from New Hampshire to Illinois, where they initially settled in Kane County. Later, they moved Wisconsin, where they lived during Little House in the Big Woods.
Lansford and Laura Louise Ingalls had ten children: Peter Riley (1833-1900), Aaron (referred to as Our Babe in the family bible) Ingalls (1835-1835), Charles Philip (1836-1902), Lydia Louise (Ingalls) Stouff (1838-1913), Pauline Melona (Ingalls) Quiner (1841-1888), Lansford James (1842-1928), Laura Ladocia (Ingalls) Forbes (1845-1918), Hiram Lemuel (1848-1923), George Whiting (1851-1901), Ruby Celestia (Ingalls) Card (18545-1881), Lafayette Clough (1858-1870). Their son Charles Philip Ingalls would become the father of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Values and Legacy
Lansford and Laura Louise Ingalls instilled in their children a strong work ethic, resourcefulness, and an appreciation for the importance of family. These values would be passed on to their grandchildren, including Laura Ingalls Wilder, who would later immortalize them in her writing.
Laura Ingalls Wilder often mentioned her grandparents in her stories, highlighting their courage, determination, and love for family, particularly in the book Little House in the Big Woods.
Later Years and Passing
Lansford Whiting Ingalls passed away on May 21, 1896, in Webster, Burnett County, Wisconsin, at the age of 83. Laura Louise Colby Ingalls passed away on October 14, 1883, also in Burnett County, at the age of 72. The couple is buried in the Orange Cemetery, Webster, Burnett County, Wisconsin.
Lansford Whiting Ingalls and Laura Louise Colby Ingalls were quintessential American pioneers whose lives exemplified the spirit of determination, resilience, and love for family that defined the American West. Their values and experiences had a profound impact on their son, Charles Philip Ingalls, and their granddaughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose stories continue to captivate readers around the world.
