The Ingalls Inquirer e-newsletter
Vol. 1-10
March, 1984-November, 1993
Published by Arlene Ingalls Schrader
ISSN 1933-7329

LAURA INGALLS WILDER SITE
SPRING VALLEY, MINNESOTA

OPEN: Sundays, June through October, 2:00 to 4:00 PM; and Tuesday through Saturday, June-July-August, 1:00 to 4:00 PM. See #1 on city map.

Also open by appointment for tours, groups. Small charge.

Admission by donation. Books, postcards, histories, pictures available.

In Fillmore County ..... Population 2,616

Location: on north-south US Highway #63 and east-west Highway #16. About 70 miles west from the Dresbach Rest Stop on I-90 near LaCrosse, WI
I-90 exchanges 16 miles west or 17 miles north.
Spring Valley is the first city north of the Iowa border on #63; and 30 mi. south of Rochester, with good roads in all directions.

METHODIST CHURCH MUSEUM
221 West Courtland Street

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THE WILDERS OF SPRING VALLEY

In her book FARMER BOY, Laura Ingalls Wilder recounts the early youth of her husband, Almanzo Wilder, with his family near Malone, NY. In the 1870's James and Angeline Wilder visited her brother, George Day, an early pioneer who had bought land on the northwest corner of Spring Valley, Minnesota. After his death in 1873 the Wilders bought his farm and moved here to stay. The family included parents James and Angeline, Laura Ann who was already living here, Eliza Jane who had come to teach, Royal, Alice, Almanzo, and the youngest member of the family, Perley.

At Spring Valley Laura Ann married Harrison Howard and Alice married Albert Baldwin. In 1879 Royal, Almanzo and Eliza Jane all homesteaded in Dakota Territory, and Eliza taught school near DeSmet. Perley attended school in Spring Valley; he later married and settled in Louisiana. Eliza Jane, after a varied career, returned to Spring Valley and married T. J. Thayer, a pioneer merchant. They moved to Crowley, LA where he had investments in rice farming. Royal returned to Spring Valley from his storekeeping in DeSmet to open a Variety Store on Broadway in 1890. He married a widow, Electra Hutchinson, and they had one daughter, Bernice, who graduated from high school here.

In DeSmet, Almanzo met and married Laura Ingalls. After many personal misfortunes and while recovering from diphtheria, Almanzo and Laura along with baby Rose came to live with his parents at the farm during much of 1890 and 1891. They eventually bought their farm near Mansfield, Missouri where they lived out their lives. In 1898 the James Wilders moved to Louisiana where family and friends were located. In later years, Rose Wilder Lane visited Spring Valley to once again see the farm where her father and grandparents had lived for so many years, and to see the church where they all worshiped.

What might visitors to Spring Valley find relating to the Wilders? Construction of the Methodist Church at 221 West Courtland Street was begun in 1876, and the J. M. Wilders were credited with being supportive members who "helped retire the debt." Methodist ministers presided at family baptisms and weddings. The church of Victorian Gothic architecture with its beautiful Italian stained glass windows dating to 1715, is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a museum owned and operated by the Spring Valley Community Historical Society. An historical marker regarding the Wilders has been placed in the churchyard, and directional signs are along the highways.

Almanzo's brother, Royal, died in 1925 and is buried in the city cemetery along with his uncle George Day and aunt Delia Stockman. Their gravesites are just inside the main gate, third row to the west along the south fence. Many of the old buildings that were here in the 1890's are still on Broadway as the dates on their upper facades will testify. Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder can visit the church and walk the streets where she also did almost 100 years ago. The farm where the Wilders lived is privately owned and they request no visitors, but one can drive by the farm and note the old horsebarn that is believed to have been built by the Wilders. The farm home was torn down in the 1920's and a new house built later.

While Almanzo and Laura were living here in 1890, the Winona and Southwest Railroad came through from the north, buying right-of-way from the east edge of the Wilder farm. Imagine the excitement when the first trains came by the farm that year! Noteworthy events included the Ringling Bros. Circus in the 1890's, and the tornado of 1894 that devastated the village south of the farm. With the Wilders keen interest in Morgan horses, they would have been interested in the Driving Association which installed a track, grandstand and stables for horseracing from 1870 to 1894. The historical society has a fine collection of photographs from this era at the Pioneer Home Museum at the corner of Washington Ave. & Main Street. A photo exhibit on the Wilders of Spring Valley is featured at the church museum. Hours: June, July, August, 1-5 PM almost every day; Sundays, 1-6 PM in October & Sept; by appointment for tour groups. For further info, call (507) 346-2763 or contact:

Mrs. G. F. Dathe, Sec'y
S. V. Comm. Hist. Society
909 South Broadway
Spring Valley. MN 55475

QUERIES

From Martha Hopkins West, Coeur d'Alene ID: I am trying to find information on EUNICE INGALLS who married SOLOMON DRULLARD. They had a daughter, Eunice born 27 May 1841 in Albany, New York.

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From Corene K. (Irvin R.) Ingalls, Elgin, TX: Her letter of May 1989 says they have just left the DeSmet area and was given my address to write to see if we could get some information on the INGALLS genealogy. I am taking the opportunity share this letter, again, with the readers in the hope there will be other family members seeking more information on this line.

IRWIN RAY INGALLS B 30 January 1934 Hancock WI, son of IRWIN HALL INGALLS and GLADYS MYRTLE CHATFIELD; son of EDMUND JAMES INGALLS and LEAFIE ANN BISHOP; son of SELDON B. INGALLS and SARAH JANE HOPPER. SELDON B. INGALLS is listed in Burleigh's book as B2469-8 and EDMUND JAMES #2472-9.

I have received a note from Corene Ingalls and she is still awaiting some clues on the above line. Can anyone help her?

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From DICK INGALLS, Seattle, WA 98126: Seeking the father of ASAHEL C. INGALLS b 12/9/1813 Vermont, father of EDWARD C. INGALLS b. 12/19/1843 Vermont, lived in Blue Earth and Elmore MN, d 1906, father of EARL S. INGALLS b. 4/25/188 [e-editor, year missing --might be 1882] (my father)

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Received from PAULINE INGALLS, Piru, CA 93040: I need the following information on B#5163: JOHN CALVIN INGALLS - birth date and place, death date and place, parents names and vital records. JOHN CALVIN INGALLS had a son, B5164 STEPHEN RAYMOND INGALLS b 22 June 1800 Acworth, NH, d 8 June 1881 Morristown, VT. Did he have any brothers or sisters?

SIMEON INGALLS B 2 November 1792 Walpole, NH m RHODA SMITH 22 Nov 1814 Surry NY, d 12 April 1865 Hyde Park VT. SIMEON and STEPHEN R. INGALLS resided in Eden and Johnson VT area from 1820 until death. Were SIMEON and STEPHEN R. INGALLS brothers?

Any information will be greatly appreciated -- Pauline.

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From JANICE McENTIRE INGALLS, Ogden. UT: I am especially interested in finding specific information about the parents and place of birth of our ancestor, JOSHUA BIGELOW INGALLS who married JULIA ANN ROBINSON in Summitt County, OH in 1845. They moved to Wisconsin and we find them listed as JOSHUA B. INGLES and JULIANNA at Otsego, Columbia Co, WI in the 1850 US Census. That record shows two children, LAFAYETTE and LORETTA, both born in WI. JOSHUA was born in 1824 in VT or NY.

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QUERIES

Received from J. Nicola Viani, Ashland. OR: In a recent visit to the LDS Family History Center in Medford, OR, to research the HOSTER line of our family tree, I ran across reference of the INGALLS "Surname Organization," and am excited about the possibility of solving an ancestral puzzle.

We were given an undated photograph (copy below), with a handwritten description on the reverse "AUNT KATE INGALLS and her grandchildren - WALTER SR'S. aunt". The photo matte was engraved with the name "E. P. Shepard, Home Studio, 2931 Portland Ave., Minneapolis."

My wife suspects "Aunt Kate" may be the sister of Walter Sr.’s father, GEORGE W. HOSTER (1852-1908) and therefore the aunt of WALTER S. HOSTER SR. (1877-1957). I have included the family group records of both WALTER S. HOSTER and his father, GEORGE. That’s as far as our information goes, and hopefully you might be able to take it from there.

Today's discovery has excited us in the outside chance that our daughter may be a distant relative of her favorite chronicler of early American history, LAURA INGALLS WILDER.

GEORGE W. HOSTER b 1852 Fayette, NY d 1908 Oakland, CA at daughter Nina's residence, MRS. LEWIS IRGENS. Married CHRISTINA STAHL- four children: DONALD KENNETH, GEORGE W. II, NINA, and WALTER STAHL, Sr. WALTER STAHL HOSTER, SR., B 12 November 1877 married HILDA CHILBERG 1898. Five children: DOROTHY, JOHN GAY, WALTER S. JR., GEORGE, DONALD KENNETH.

Can anyone give name of AUNT KATE INGALLS' husband and their family line? Please respond J. Nicola Viani. Thank you for writing and submitting this family line

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QUERIES

The picture below (omitted) was clipped from a New York state newspaper article about Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Combined Side Show. Can anyone identify CLYDE INGALLS? Who were his parents, siblings and where did they live? Respond to the Editor, THE INGALLS INQUIRER, please.

Caption: Clyde Ingalls, manager of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Combined Side Show is shown with a member of the Doll Family in a photo taken about 1930.

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Query from GWEN LAMBERTON, Watertown, WI: Seeking more information on ALONZO and DIDEMA (HILL) LAMBERTON and their children, or anything about ALONZO and his parents? ALFRED INGALLS son of JAMES INGALLS and MALINDA SNOW married TRYPENA E. LAMBERTON 13 Apriul 1862 Genesee Co MI. Our HENRY AMBROSE LAMBERTON was born 24 November 1818 and d 1898. His parents were born in NY. Possible brother to Alonzo? Can anyone help Gwen with this puzzle?

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Query from DENNIS R. DAVIS, Erie. PA: Trying to find primary proof to an INGALLS line -- The only connection that I could find was on page 251, second paragraph, "JOHN INGALS, Blacksmith, Concord, Corey Po P.A." and was indicated as living there in 1868. (Ref. Chas. Burleigh's book Ingalls Family in America). I believe that the book has a couple of things misspelled. I think that it should read JOHN INGALLS, Concord twp. Corey, Pa. The INGALLS family of my line has always lived in this part of Erie Co, PA. I believe this JOHN to be the same as #20 on my ancestor chart. Books referenced are "The Ingalls Family" by G. T. Ridlon, Sr. , "The Ingalls Family" by Walter Renton Ingalls, and "Laura" by Donald Zochert. These books do not give me any clue to my family. I don’t have any idea as to where my DANIEL INGALLS may have come from but have a strong feeling that he came from New York state.

Dennis Davis’ lineage chart shows: Son of Robert Arden Davis Sr., son of Arthur L. Davis and Blanche Mae INGALLS, dau. of JAMES WILLIAM INGALLS, son of JOHN INGALLS b 1834 d 1908 m MARTHA McCRAY. (#20 on chart) b 1834. All resided in PA with exception of JOHN INGALLS. His parents are listed as DANIEL INGALLS and NANCY HEATH. Can anyone assist Dennis with this query? Please inform the Editor of The Ingalls Inquirer if you have any additional information on this line.

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Query from Mrs JOANNE MOULTON, Alberta, Canada: Seeks parents and siblings of MARY ANN INGALLS/INGLES, married Dr. HARRIS JOHNSON in 1820 at Luzerne Co PA. She d 23 January 1884 at Harlem, Delaware Co. OH. By Dr. H. JOHNSON she had 6 children - CAROLINE, LYMAN, b 1821 d 11 June 1840 at Delaware Co OH; MARY ANN, JOSEPH b 14 October 1825 Harlem Co. OH, d 17 Dec 1903 at Jewell Co Kansas, mar. 7 February 1850 at Franklin Co OH to ELIZABETH ANN BLANKNER; DENISON b 19 October 1827 at Harlem, OH, mar. 1849 to ELLEN KEELER; HARRIS or HARRISON, b 1 December 1829 at Harlem, OH mar. 24 July 1853 to C. MARSHALL. After Dr. Harris Johnson died she married BENJAMIN MOSELY FAIRCHILD and she had 3 children with him. SHERMAN b March 9, 1821, HULDAH b 22 October 1834 and ELECTA b 11 October 1841.

Can anyone assist Joanne with this query? Thank you for writing, Joanne M., and keep us informed of your research on INGALLS.

Query from J. M. INGALLS, Orlando, FL: We are still trying to find information on all of JAMES INGALLS and MALINDA SNOW'S ancestors and descendants. According to some family information, my great-great grandfather, JAMES INGALLS, his mother and his wife, MALINDA SNOW, left Jefferson or Genesee NY state in 1835, to Genesee Co MI. We have not been able to obtain any good information concerning where they lived prior to moving to Michigan. Also, we cannot find their parents' names. JAMES INGALLS was b 9 January 1801 and MALINDA SNOW was b 4 April, 1809.

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QUERIES

From JOHN C. INGLES, Fenton, MI: Need primary proof of parents, siblings of ADDISON INGLES b 1806 New Ashford, Berkshire Co MA. Which SAMUEL was there in 1810?

In searching for the parents of ADDISON INGLES I have gathered the following information about members of the INGALLS family in BERKSHIRE CO MASS. around 1800. The numbers in parenthesis are references to Burleigh which I have added. Note: Chas. Burleigh, M.D., author of The Ingalls Family in America.

From "History on the Town of Cheshire" by Raynor and Peticlert pub. 1885, page 59: "In 1782 STEPHEN INGALLS (601) came to Cheshire with his parents. He grew up here and his name is often seen. He raised a large family on a farm at the west of Cheshire and his sons and daughters have been among the substantial families of the town. Some of his sons are living on fine farms, some interested in manufacturing, others in buying and selling dairies."

From "Gazetteer of Berkshire Co Massachusetts 1725-1885" by Hamilton Child. The first part was published in 1866. Page 120: "Samuel Ingalls (82) came to Cheshire from Rehoboth MA, in 1786 and located on the farm where DAVID D. INGALLS (1540) now resides, where he died in 1795. He was a man of gigantic stature and great physical strength. He is said to have carried seven and a half bushels of corn at a time, up a flight of stairs. Samuel (238) his son, came to this town with his father, but went to Cooperstown, NY about 1796 and died in 1827. STEPHEN (601) son of STEPHEN JR. (the Jr. is probably misplaced) came from Cooperstown to Cheshire, located on the farm where his son DAVID D. (1540) now resides and reared 15 children, 12 of whom lived to maturity and nine are now living, their average age being 70 years and eight of whom reside in Berkshire Co. One son, SAMUEL (1519), was engaged in a manufacturing business in Adams and a son of SAMUEL is now cashier of the Berkshire National Bank of North Adams."

From "Early MA Marriages" Vol 3, page 140: SAM'L INGALLS and ANNE WHEELER Nov. 30, 1793 in Lanesborough.

QUESTIONS: Is this a second marriage of one of the SAMUELS in Burleigh or is this SAMUEL not listed in Burleigh? Who are the other INGALLS listed in the directory that do not seem to be listed in Burleigh? (Directory listing follows)

At the end of the county history is a county directory compiled in 1884. The Ingalls entries are as follows:

Cheshire

Calvin Ingalls (1522) farmer route 21

Earl Ingalls (1526) dealer in flour, groceries and agricultural impliments, Main St.

David D. Ingalls (1540) route 23 dairy, 16 cows and farmer 300 acres

George D. Ingalls (1530) Berkshire route 34, farmer with Martin W. (1517)

Stephen W. Ingalls (2622) president Berkshire Comb. Co. and treasurer Zylonite Works, 8 Church St.

Pittsfield

David Ingalls (?) clerk 139 North, boards 48 Linden

Frank: Ingalls (?) salesman 25 North, boards Circular Ave.

George Ingalls (?) clerk: 139 North, boards 48 Linden

William Ingalls (?) teamster, boards 12 First

William D. Ingalls (?) teamster for Merrille Co., boards Commercial Hotel

Williamstown

Charles D. Ingalls (?) Sweets Corners route 34, breeder of grade Jersey cows, 8 head and farmer

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County directory listing - continued -

Note: Cheshire was not incorporated until later and census counts were included with Lanesborough. Some categories were omitted here because they were not needed.

The following are notes extracted from the reports, records and minutes of the Second Baptist Church of Cheshire Mass., They were compiled and copied by Rollin Hillyer Cooke. At three different times the church compiled a list of its members. I will give this information first. On a specific date the church listed all of its members and then added to the list as necessary. Names were added as people joined and notes were added after names when someone died or left the church for example because they were not needed.

On the title page of the book the following appears:

Mr. Stephen Ingalls

Church Clerk of the

Second Baptist Church

in Cheshire

July 3rd 1823

This is followed by records starting in 1789.

Lanesborough May y'e 30 A.D. 1789

At a Confarence Meeting David Smith Moderator the Brethren and Sisters Whose Names are Hereunte Subscribed Agreed to Renew Covernant and take up there travil Under the title of the Second Baptist Church in Lanesborough With this Difference from the old church
Holding the Laying on of hands not a Baar to Communion.

Then there follows a membership list including:

Stephen Ingalls Excluded
Stephen Engalls Jr
Sally Angle X
Eseck Angle
Freelove Angle
James Angle
Calvin Inqalls joined Oct 7 1827
Rebecca Ingals (blank but the names around hers joined 1820)
Harriet Ingalls joined July 24 1827
Diantha Ingalls joined Oct 7 1827
Semantha Inqalls ioined Oct 7 1827

On March 6, 1834 the 2nd and 3rd Baptist Churches united and were thenceforth to be named the 2nd Baptist Church. The membership at that time included:

Rebecca Ingalls
Stephen Ingalls
Orissa Ingalls
Rebecca Ingalls
Samantha Ingalls

On Dec 12, 1846 a committee was appointed to revise the "Church Book." The following names appear:

Almira Ingalls died July 24, 1885
Laura Ingalls died Mar 10, 1878
Rebeca D. Ingalls died June 4, 1863
Orrissa Ingalls
Rebecca Ingalls dism by letter 1849
Stephen Ingalls died Dec 29, 1850
Henry I. Ingals
Martin Ingals
David Ingals
Almira Ingalls died July 24, 1885
Laura Ingalls died Mar 10, 1878
Laura Jane Ingalls
Emily Ingalls Prince died Dec 7, 1876
Mary F. Ingalls Beers died Sep 5, 1877
Maryette Ingalls
Laura Ingals
Adaline Ingalls by bapt Oct 20, 1878

It seems that on each Sunday, not only did they hold a worship service but they also conducted business as necessary. The following are from the minutes that contained the name Ingalls. The dates refer to the date of the meeting. In order to save space I have tried to be brief and in so doing have lost some of the flavor of the minutes.

Mar 27, 1790 Eseck Angle joined the church
Feb 15, 1791 voted to give Eseck Angle a letter of recommendation
July 28, 1792 a list of people joining includes James Angle, Frelove Angle. Jane Angle died (no date given)
Ap 27 1793 Stephan Inglas joined the church
Nov 23, 1795 Stephen Ingalls to attend a Council at New Gallway
May 24, 1817 Stephen Ingalls Jr. sent to attend Association
Nov 28, 1819 Stephen Ingalls in a group (the purpose of which is blurred)
Dec 25, 1819 Stephen Ingalls on a committee to assist in settling a difficulty brought into the church by brethren Syrrel Cole and Calvin Fish
July 28, 1820 Voted that Deacon Comen and Brother Ingals visit brother Hathaway once more and earnestly solicit his attendance.
Jan 13, 1821 Stephen Ingalls Jr. was appointed to replace the current clerk
Nov 24, 1821 Stephen I. on a com. to find a new preacher
Dec 28, 1822 Stephen I. on a com. to try to settle a difficulty between deacon Coman and Brother Levi Mason
May 6, 1827 Stephen I. voted as a messenger to invite Elder Vincent to preach during the next year
Aug 28, 1827 Stephen Ingalls to be replaced as Clerk of Church
Dec 29, 1827 voted that 5 dollars now in the hands of Stephen Ingalls the former clerk to be paid to the new clerk
Jan 3, 1828 Five dollars was received from Stephen I. as voted at the last meeting
Mar 28, 1829 Stephen I. on a com. to get a preacher for the next Year
June 27, 1829 Stephen I. on a com. to attend a complaint
Mar 24, 1832 Stephen I. on a com. to fill the pulpit for next year
Mar 2, 1840 Stephen I. on a com. to circulate a subscription paper for preaching the ensuing Year
Oct 19, 1844 Stephen Ingalls related his Christian experience and was

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received as a member of the church on his being baptized (this is a standard form and I will be abbreviate it to "received as a member" for others)

Oct 17, 1846 Stephen I. on a com. to visit delinquent members
Jan 17, l846 Henry J. Ingalls was voted a Committeeman at the annual meeting
Feb 19, 1847 Laura Ingalls was received as a member
Nov 21, 1847 Almira Ingalls was received as a member
Dec 15, 1849 Stephen Ingalls on a com. to enquire into a complaint
Feb 10, 1855 Maryette Ingalls received as a member
Nov 17, 1855 Laura Jane and Emily Ingalls were received as members
Mar 22, 1856 Mary Francis Ingalls was received as a member
Jan 31, 1858 a list of persons baptized includes Henry J., Martin, David and Laura Ingalls
Feb 20, 1858 Henry J. Ingalls was made a member of the Ministerial Com. for the ensuing year
Sep 18, 1858 voted to send H. J. Ingalls, Martin Ingals and three others as delegates to the Association
Dec 14, 1861 voted that H.J. Ingalls serve as moderator and that David Ingalls be a committeeman
Jan 27, 1866 Henry J. I. on a com. to see about buying a parsonage
Jan 19, 1867 Henry J. I. was the moderator of the meeting
Jan 29, 1876 The yearling Meeting called to order and H.J. Ingals chosen chairman
Oct 21, 1876 David Ingalls was appointed to attend the Oct. Association held in Pittsfield
Mar 12, 1877 Henry J. Ingalls was chairman of a com. to retain the pastor
Sep 20, 1881 the Church discussed plans for hosting the Association. David Ingalls and wife were to find accommodations for horses on the west side of town (note 3 others were also doing this in other areas)

Cooke also compiled information from the 1st Baptist Church. but it contained no Ingalls, and St. Luke's Church of Lanesborough which has these two listings of note:
Sept 7, 1851 David E. Ingalls and Laura E. Northrop were married by Rev. Sam'l B. Shaw
Feb 12, 1853 infant son of David Ingalls age 5 ms. died, burial in Cheshire

From the town records of New Ashford Mass., on April 10, 1810 Samuel Angell recorded the Ear Marks that he would be using for his livestock for the purpose of identification.

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-Continued from March issue-

What ‘Exactly’ Is The lngalls' Cuba Connection?

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of two segments profiling the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her heritage. Much of the information in the story below was provided courtesy of Mrs. John Driscoll of Cuba and through the Cuba Library, where complete Ingalls family trees are kept on record.)

AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH (omitted) of Laura Ingalls Wilder (at left) depicts the children's literature author of the eight "Little House on the Prairie" series books as she appeared at age 65 when she wrote the first of her books.

By DEB JOHNSON

Lifestyles Editor

CUBA - The exact date may vary a day or two, but the month and the year are the same, as is the town in which Charles Philip Ingalls was born.

Books, records, and transcripts of Ingalls family trees as found in Charles Ingalls' family Bible all indicate that Charles Philip Ingalls was indeed born in Cuba.

Laura's beloved father, known as "Pa" in the "Little House" series, was born on either Jan. 10 or 11, (with books disagreeing on the exact date), 1835, in New York's Allegany County, on a homestead at a Cuba farm.

"Most of the Ingalls in Cuba today, and some in Bolivar, are still related to Charles and his daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, said one of the local descendants, Mrs. John Driscoll of Hammond Road.

Laura is the author of the "Little House" series from which the television , program "Little House on the Prairie" was derived.

"It is through Aaron, John, and Lansford Ingalls, that were here (in the Cuba area) and all had families," that the people from the Cuba area are related. "Aaron had descendants, John had descendants, and Lansford, although he moved West, had descendants," Mrs. Driscoll said.

"I'm one of the descendants," said Mrs. Driscoll "because my grandmother, Emma Jane, was an Ingalls, who later married Charles Guilford."

Mrs. Driscoll's grandmother's father's name was Lansford, who was also the father of Charles (Philip) Ingalls.

"It's hard to figure out," Mrs. Driscoll said with a laugh when questioned regarding her relationship to Laura Ingalls Wilder.

"My grandmother, Emma Jane (Ingalls) Guilford, who was born in Cuba, was the first cousin of Charles Ingalls," with Mrs. Driscoll herself having difficulty determining exactly what her relationship was to Charles or Laura Ingalls.

"My ancestry, relates to Aaron Ingalls, who married Olive Scott," she continued. "They were pioneers and lived where Mrs. James Korka now resides," at 5474 N. Route 305.

John Ingalls and his son, John, later settled atop Trenkle Hill, located almost adjacent to the Korka residence.

THE LOCAL CONNECTION began much earlier, however, with Samuel Ingalls, born 1771 in Rockingham County, N.H. Samuel (who is the grandfather of Charles Ingalls) died in Bolivar on Feb. 15, 1841. He was married to the former Margaret Delano, who was born in Connecticut and died on May 6, 1837, in North Cuba.

Through Margaret Delano, Mrs. Wilder is related to Stephen Hopkins and Richard Warren, who came to America on the Mayflower, Mrs. Driscoll told the Times Herald. Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was also distantly related to Mrs. Wilder.

Much of Mrs. Driscoll's information on the ancestry of Laura Ingalls Wilder was taken from "American Royal Ancestors of Laura Ingalls Wilder" and "A Chronology of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Family," as compiled and chartered by Ruth Bunker Christiansen.

Anyone wanting additional information or wishing to receive copies of the copyrighted booklets should write: Ruth Bunker Christiansen, care of Sally Gustafson, Route 1, Box 269, Frederic, Wisc. 54837.

"I began corresponding with Mrs. Christiansen quite a while ago" after seeing several notices in the Cuba Patriot and local newspapers when people began questioning if there were any Ingalls residing in the Cuba area. They were trying to determine the heritage of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

"Finally, I did write to one woman, Ruth (Christiansen), and told her there were a number of Ingalls around here. I sent her a list of ones living in and around Cuba so she could write to them and then I kind of kept in touch with her."

NOW WE GET DOWN to the Lansford Ingalls," Mrs. Driscoll continued, trying to explain Mrs. Wilder's connection with the Cuba area. "The book says Lansford, who was Charles Ingalls’ father, was the son of Samuel, who had nine children.

"Lansford was born in Quebec, Canada, on Nov. 12. 1812. He married Laura Louisa Colby in Holland, N.Y." The former Miss Colby, after whom Laura Ingalls was named, was born in Holland in 1810.

Charles, known as "Pa," in the "Little House" series, was born on Jan. 10 or 11, 1836, in Cuba. He had ten brothers and sisters, including one baby that died and some who were born after the Ingalls traveled West and eventually settled in Wisconsin.

Their names included: Peter Riley, Lidia Louise; Polly Melona; Lansford James; Laura Ladocia; Hiram LeRoy, George Whiting; Ruby Celestia; and Lafayette Clough.

Mrs. Driscoll said a listing of all the names of pupils who went through school in the first school at North Cuba in the 1830s is contained in a copy of "Civic History and Illustrated Progress Cuba, N.Y. -1822-1910," written by John Sternes Minards.

"Lansford Ingall's name was in there," his descendant said.

INFORMATION CONTAINED at the Cuba Library indicates "at the age of 12 years, Charles Ingalls moved with his parents to Illinois and seven years later to Wisconsin.

"It was while at Concord, Wisc., that Charles met and married the former Miss Caroline Quiner, on Feb. 1, 1860. They bought a farm in September 1863, seven miles northwest of Pepin, Wisc.

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"Little House in the Big Woods." The picture (omitted) at right portrays Mrs. Wilder and her husband, Almanzo Wilder, shortly after their marriage in DeSmet, Dakota Territory, on Aug. 15, 1855. (Photos Courtesy of Cuba Library)

It was several years later, after being driven away due to Indian problems, that the Ingalls moved to Walnut Grove, Minn. This new home was the setting for "On the Banks of Plum Creek."

Moving on to DeSmet, S.D., "Pa" was prominent in founding this township. In fact, some believe he was the first settler. He served as town clerk, justice of the peace and was integral in organizing DeSmet Congregational Church.

He died at age 67 on June 8, 1902, at the Ingalls' home in DeSmet, where his wife and daughter Mary remained, leading a quiet life.

The second Ingalls daughter, Laura, was born on Feb. 7, 1867, near Pepin. She taught rural school and wed Almanzo Wilder on Aug. 15, 1885.

During their first years of marriage, which Mrs. Wilder's last book detailed, they experienced complete ruin of their crops by hail and drought, the destruction of their home by fire, the death of their infant son in 1888 and loss of Almanzo's health by a stroke and paralysis.

The couple made their last pioneering journey to Mansfield, Mo., where they made their home in the Ozarks, and where today the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum" remains.

One day, in 1932, after a letter came from her daughter, Rose, requesting her mother write down the stories she used to tell her as a child so they would not be lost, Mrs. Wilder began her first book.

Out of those childhood stories grew eight nationally renowned children's books.

GORDON L. PERRY

WELLSVILLE - Gordon L. Perry, 68, of 3231 Riverside Drive, died Sunday (July 30, 1989) in the Wellsville Manor after a long illness.

Born April 30,1921, in Caneadea, he was a son of Walter and Nina Tucker Perry. On April 12,1941, in New Haven, Conn., be married the former Donna Frost who survives.

Mr. Perry was a graduate of Cuba High School and was a captain in World War II, serving with the Army Air Force.

He had been employed as auto parts manager for various parts agencies and, until retirement in 1982, was at the Wellsville Campus of Alfred State College in the automotive division.

Mr. Perry was a member of the Portville American Legion, 815 Bomb Group Association, Portville Masonic Lodge, the Corning Consistory, the Damascus Shrine Temple of Rochester and was a former member of the Olean Eagles Club.

Surviving besides his wife are his mother, of Cuba; a son, Alan Perry of Scio; four grandchildren; a brother, Norbert Perry of New Port Ritchey, Fla.; three sisters, Martha Guild of Erie, Pa., and Donalyn Swier and Alice Stolberg, both of Cuba; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Mulholland-Crowell Funeral Home, Wellsville, Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at which time Masonic funeral services will be conducted by members of Wellsville and Portville Lodges. Burial will be in the Cuba Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corp., or to the American Heart Association.

(Olean Times, NY)

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MRS. ARTHUR FROST

CUBA - Mrs. Cecile L. Frost of Haskell Flats died Wednesday (July 26, 1989) in the Wellsville Manor after a long illness. Born Sept. 26, 1901, in the town of Lyndon, she was a daughter of Charles and Grace Hale Ingalls. On Nov. 14, 1923, she married Arthur Frost, who died July 15,1963.

Mrs. Frost attended Alfred Normal Teachers School and had previously taught in area schools.

She was a member of the Haskell Community Church and Abbotts Sunshine Society.

Surviving are three sons, Donald Frost and Edgar Frost, both of Cuba, and Walter Frost of Portville; a daughter, Mrs. Gordon (Donna) Perry of Wellsville; 12 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

There will be no visitation. Friends may attend funeral and committal services Friday (July 28, 1989) at 11 a.m. in the Nicholson Funeral Home Inc., 24 Genesee Parkway, Cuba. The Rev. G. Curtis Conklin of Cuba, retired pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

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WALTER E. GUILD Sr.

CUBA - Walter E. Guild Sr., of Maple Lane, Cuba, died today (Tuesday, July 11, 1989) at the Cuba Memorial Hospital after a long illness.

Born Sept. 19, 1901, in Cuba, be was a son of Fred and Lavisa Regan Guild. On July 3, 1927, in Dania, Fla., he married the former Harriet Guilford who survives.

Mr. Guild was a retired foreman for Acme Electric Co. of Cuba and was a member of the Cuba First Baptist Church, Cuba Lodge 306 F&AM and Cuba Fire Department.

Surviving besides his wife are two sons Walter E. Guild Jr., of Penn Yan and Samuel H. Guild of Cuba - four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

There will be no visitation. Friends may attend funeral and committal services Thursday (July 13, INS) at 1 p.m. in the Cuba First Baptist Church. The Rev. Larry A. Poelma, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cuba First Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nicholson Funeral Home Inc., 24 Genesee Parkway, Cuba.

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MRS. WILLIAM INGALLS

CUBA - Mrs. Constance E. Ingalls of 10 Bradley Ave. died Saturday (April 22, 1989) in St. Francis Hospital, Olean, after a short illness.

Born Dec. 8, 1930, in Fillmore, she was a daughter of Frank and Gertrude Clegborn Smith. On Aug. 4, 1950, in Black Creek, she married William Ingalls, who survives.

Mrs. Ingalls was an insurance agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. She was a member of the Cuba First Baptist Church, Southern Tier Girl Scout Executive board, the Allegany County Republican Women's Club, was a volunteer with the Dispute Settlement Center of Olean and a member of the former Angelina Rebekah Lodge of Cuba. Surviving besides her husband are two sons, Craig Ingalls of Hartwell, Ga., and Michael Ingalls of Cuba; three daughters, Mrs. Jeffrey (Wands) Klem of Rochester, Mrs. David (Barbara) Setchel of Hartwell and Mrs. Michael (Linda) Bienl of Highland Mills; seven grandchildren; five brothers, Lawrence Armstrong of Canisteo, Robert Armstrong of Mt. Jewett, Pa., James (Al) Armstrong of Staunton, Va., Jay Armstrong of Caneadea and Joseph Smith of Farmersville Station; four sisters, Mrs. Morton (Dorothy) Grossman of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Earl (Abbie) Troup of Grand Prairie, Texas, Mrs. Leslie (Lois) Wakefield and Annandale, Va., and Mrs. Charles (Ursella) Wilson of Titusville, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by eight brothers and sisters.

There will be no visitation. Friends may attend funeral and committal services Monday (April 24, 1989) at 7 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Cuba, with the Rev. Larry A. Poelma, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined Memorials may be made to the Cuba First Baptist Church a to a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are under direction of the Nicholson Funeral Home Inc., Cuba.
Olean Times 4-23-89

Submitted by Mr., and Mrs. Wilbur R. Ingalls, Wellsville, NY, and Mrs. Betty Robinson, Bradford, Pa.

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BOOK REVIEWS

"The Nature of Things" poems by RUTH BUNKER CHRISTIANSEN, Frederic, WI. The clippings below give further information on this most recent publication of Ruth Christiansen's. Thank you, Ruth, for sending an autographed copy. It is a lovely book. She writes that it is a compilation of thirty years of writing.

Ruth feels she is an INGALLS descendant from Edmund (1), Mary (2) b__; m. JOHN EATON. She grew up in North Dakota, Minot area and near Dunseith. Has researched INGALLS family and has written many articles about LAURA and her relatives.

The book is of excellent quality and suitable for gift giving, and will make an excellent "winter" reading source.

The Nature of Things

A gift book of previously published poems by Ruth Bunker Christiansen 82 pp. printed on quality Nekoosa Linen paper; covers in a choice of pastel blue, green, gray, or white. Many have won honors or awards. Illustrated.

. . . .

A Scrapbook History of the Auburn Aviation Co., Inc. by Roger W. Ingalls, . . . published 1986, 169 pages, illustrated with soft cover in color. This is a very informative book with pictures and clippings of the early days of aviation in the vicinity of Auburn, NY. Dedicated to his dad, LEMAN B. INGALLS, and to his partners: FRANKLIN L. NUGENT, HUBERT A DARROW; and RALPH S. BOWER: fliers, farmers, friends.

(photo omitted) OWNERS OF THE AIRPORT. left to right: Frank Nugent, Ralph Bower, Hubert Darrow and Leman Ingalls.
HERALD-JOURNAL July 28, 1941

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BITS 'N PIECES

BOBBY and LINDA WRIGHT, Orlando, FL celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary July 31, 1989 with a party given by their children. They will also celebrate with a trip to Montana in August. They were married July 31, 1984 in Casselberry. They have two children . . .

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The above copy (omitted) is of a first day issue of the South Dakota stamp issued July 3, 1989 with the postmark of Walnut Grove, MN "Fragments of a Dream" Thank you Linda Wright for having these envelopes sent to me. A stamp commemorating LAURA INGALLS WILDER has been a long time coming.

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REUNIONS

INGALLS-BECKMAN-DUNN REUNION - The annual family reunion was held June 30 and July 1st in Eugene, Oregon. After a no-host dinner at North's Chuck Wagon we all gathered at GLADYS (INGALLS) BLACKBURN'S home. The evening was spent getting acquainted, sharing pictures, records and sharing family stories. On Saturday JACK and MARY INGALLS, Eugene had all of us at their home for a potluck dinner and day of more sharing, picture taking and story swapping. Approximately 45 descendants were present coming from CA, WA, and OR.

The family reunion for 1990 is going to be held in Junction City, OR. For more details contact ROGER/PAM INGALLS, Tacoma, VA or JACK/MARY INGALLS, Junction City, OR.

Enclosed is a snap shot (omitted) of the clan, at left is MARION INGALLS, DARLENE MOORE is third over and BERTHA INGALLS is the fifth lady. Thanks, Darlene Moore, Eugene, OR for sending this information.

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BITS 'N PIECES

Received the following REUNION notice in September, 1989 and wish to include it this time so persons interested in this branch (JACOB INGALLS FAMILY) will have a chance to place on their calendar for 1990.

1793 INGALLS REUNION 1989
All Members Of The
JACOB INGALLS FAMILY
Are invited To Meet In The GREENVILLE-NORTON HILL - UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH HALL
On Route 81, Norton Hill, New York
For Their 61st Annual Reunion
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14th at 11:30 A. M.
Each to furnish toward Lunch, except Meat, Biscuits and Butter
which will be provided from the General Fund
The Lucinda Ingalls Family Will Host
Richard Dedie, Sec., RD # 1, Greenville, NY 12083

THE INGLESIDE WINTER (photo omitted)

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INGALLS FAMILY HISTORY
AND
EARLY MEMOIRS OF KEITH IRVING INGALLS
1906-1930

Continued from July, 1989 Ingalls Inquirer -- Written by Keith Irving Ingalls, Concord, CA -- B718-10 - This is a manuscript written by him in 1975. He tells of the family arriving in Cherry Grove, Minnesota, where his father, Herschel, was born, and moving to North Dakota, near Dunseith. The family moved to Montana, and later to Oregon. Please give proper credits to the author. This may be protected by copyright.

Chapter 5 - The Railroad

To understand our life style in the early part of this century it is important to realize that the railroad was all important. All of our needs came by rail except goods produced locally. Roads were not hard-surfaced or drained, so they became bottomless after heavy rains and therefore not dependable. There were no trucks yet, and the automobiles, just coming into use, had a hard time going from one place to another. They were often pulled out of mud holes by horses from the nearest farm.

Our town was served by the Great Northern Railway. It was at the end of a 40-mile branch line, one of several in the railroad system. Each week day the train left the town for York, on the main line. It was a mixed train, composed of engine, tender, an express and mail car, a passenger coach or two, and several freight cars. It stopped at other towns along the branch line to pick up and deliver freight and passengers. In the late afternoon or evening it returned.

I remember one winter storm when drifts prevented the train from reaching York for several days, as the snow plow in front of the engine just wasn't large enough. Then a new idea was tried out. A gondola car with a large snow plow was placed in front of the engine and a train man was stationed in the front of the car where he had better visibility than the engineer. He would blow the whistle, using a long cord, whenever he saw a large drift. Then the engineer would pick up speed and hopefully push the drift out of the way. A large crowd watched as the train disappeared into the blizzard. The idea worked and service was resumed.

The local post office was the busiest place in town each evening after the train brought the mail. It was distributed into the various mail boxes there, while everybody looked on. There was no such thing as house to house mail delivery. However there were rural mail carriers who delivered mail to farmers. It was called Rural Free Delivery (RFD). We did not have stage coaches in our area, but the mail carriers, using wagons or buggies, would take passengers.

When I was still a baby, the farmers in the mountains felt that the railroad, which ended at Dunseith, should be extended northward to Kelvin or Achworth. This would make it easier for the farmers to market their grain and livestock. It would also mean more business and profit for James J. Hill, the Empire Builder, and his Great Northern Railway.

My Dad and another man were selected to present a petition to Mr. Hill at St. Paul, Minnesota. He said that he would extend the line; then he talked at great length about the fertile soil of North Dakota, and how it would produce for 100 years before needing fertilizer. Surveyors selected the right of way the next spring. However the next session of the Legislature passed laws very detrimental to the railroads. Jim Hill was so mad that he swore he would never build another mile of railroad in North Dakota, and he never did.

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Chapter 6 - Early Boyhood

I was christened Irving Keith Ingalls but my parents always called me Keith, so when I started school I told them my name was Keith Irving. I guess my earliest recollection was being in a small boat in mid-summer and my Dad and another man were fishing. Dad landed a large pickerel and I was so scared of it that I jumped out of the boat.

I played with other boys of about the same age. We did a lot of swimming and playing baseball and roaming around the town and countryside. Our favorite swimming hole was in Willow Creek, which flowed thru town from Willow Lake, in the mountains, to the Souris River, which flowed into Canada and on into Hudson Bay. We swam in the nude and learned to dog-paddle by ourselves, as we never had any supervision. Later on in the summer the creek would dry up, so then we swam in a large nearby lake.

Summer was also the time for picking hazel nuts, choke cherries, wild strawberries and other wild berries. If they were plentiful, my mother would process them into jam or jelly or make choke-cherry wine. We boys sometimes caught frogs and fried the legs in a skillet over a camp fire along the creek.

In the winter we attended school and did a lot of sledding, skating and skiing. In those days the snow came before Thanksgiving and we did not see the bare ground again until April. I remember one Christmas. I was given a pair of real pine skis to replace the barrel staves we boys sometimes used, and several of us spent the afternoon on nearby slopes, though it was windy and cold. As I got back home my Dad was on the porch looking at the thermometer and he said that it was forty degrees below zero. We were often temporarily frost-bitten, such as frozen fingers, toes, ears and nose, and we learned to keep our faces warmer by facing our backs into the wind, no matter which way we were walking. In the spring, when the ice went out, the creek was a dangerous torrent, and we were forbidden to go near it. After that came the purple crocuses and the spring migration of millions of ducks and geese flying northward.

Once or twice each summer my folks would rent a team and buggy from the local livery stable. We would then spend Sunday in the mountains visiting our Uncle's family, or our farm, or any of several friends or ex-neighbors.

Cars were just becoming available and later we would rent a Ford for a day for $5.00. When I was 3 or 4 years of age there were only a few cars in town. Dad's firm owned a Velie touring car which Dad would drive to repair farm machinery at various farms, usually during harvest. Sometimes he would take me along. I remember one trip very well. Dad was repairing a binder (harvesting machine) on a farm owned by a Norwegian who could not speak English. Neither could his wife, but his grown son had been a pupil of Dad years before and he could speak good English. It was getting late and Dad was feverishly finishing the job so we could leave. He was afraid that we would be invited for supper, which could not be refused. The farmer's wife had been picking up stray stalks of wheat left by the binder (European fashion) and we didn't see how there could be any food prepared. But now the son came over and invited us for dinner. So we went to the tiny farm house and washed up outside. We expected the worst but inside the house, made of logs, was immaculate and filled with all sorts of Scandinavian objects strange to us and we were served a wonderful meal. I had noted an eccentric old lady around town who always traveled in an old wagon and her little dog would always precede the horses by a couple of rods. On the way home that dark night in our work car from the Norwegian farm, as we were coming around a curve going down the mountain, we spied a dog walking toward us in the middle of the road. Dad jammed on the brakes and came to a halt about two feet in front of the horses of the old lady mentioned above. Her dog had saved her.

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Cars were not used in the winter. They were drained of water and jacked up in a barn or garage. Later the hardware store was the dealer for Fords, Velies, Buicks and Maxwells. Dad generally taught each new buyer how to drive. In the window of the store was a large Ford poster listing the price of a Ford at $295 FOB Detroit plus $85 for a self-starter. Other cars were higher, some as much as $1000. Cadillacs and Studebakers were even higher.

In the winter, I believe the favorite haunt of men not otherwise occupied was around the red hot double-barreled stove in the rear of the hardware store. Mostly they spit tobacco juice on the stove and discussed politics to include Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Senator McCumber, the Legislature, the Non-Partisan League and Socialism.

On Saturdays, during winter, my friends and I would sometimes pull our sleds along roads leading into town to hitch rides from farmers coming into town on their horse-drawn sleds, sometimes loaded with wheat. A typical farmer was dressed in a long buffalo overcoat, a beaver of buffalo cap with ear flaps and a big buffalo robe over his lap. A charcoal heater kept his feet from freezing. It was a thrill when one would recognize me and let me sit on the seat of the bob sled rather than my own little sled. Sometimes a storm would force a farmer friend to spend a few days with us waiting for the storm to subside. He would sleep on the living room floor on his buffalo robe.

Occasionally an actor group would visit our town and put on a show at the local Opera House, above which was an apartment where I was born. Later, a hand cranked movie was shown there each Saturday night. Admission was ten cents for adults. Children with their parents were free. One winter night, after the show, my sister and I pulled our younger sister wrapped up in an apple box on my sled. We trotted along toward home, followed by our parents. It was clear and cold with no wind. Other people blocks away could be plainly heard. We had a few frost bitten fingers, etc, on the way home. That night it reached 52 degrees below zero.

When I was 7 or 8 years of age, my Dad gave me a 22 caliber Winchester rifle. Other boys also had rifles or air guns, and we shot gophers, crows, sparrows, etc. Coyotes could be heard almost every evening but wolves were scarce. Dad had a 16 gauge shotgun and often went hunting in the fall with groups of other men. Ducks were plentiful and Canadian geese and brant were occasionally taken. Sometimes the hunters would come back with the Velie full of ducks. Then everybody in town ate duck and feathers would be flying in the kitchens. Breast feathers were saved for pillows and comforters.

I don't remember having a family dog, but I had a yellow kitten. He grew up to be an enormous tom cat. He wouldn't let me or anyone else touch him. He was gone sometimes for months at a time, returning with ears frozen to shreds and with many cuts and scratches.

My Uncle Will told us once that one winter day he saw a big yellow cat being chased by a wolf. Anyway, we never saw our cat again.

One spring I was given a Plymouth Rock hen. She raised a large family of chicks that summer. I fed them faithfully, but the family grew smaller as the chicks, one by one, disappeared. Later that fall, as we were eating chicken stew, I was told that we were eating the last hen. I was terribly hurt and refused to eat any more chicken that day.

We liked weddings because afterwards it was the custom for us kids to "Charivaree" the lucky couple. This meant that we banged on pots and pans outside the house until the groom came out and gave us each a coin. This meant of lot of jelly beans or peanut bars or an ice cream cone or two. Peanut bars were a penny each and cones five cents. Halloween was mostly celebrated by the older boys. They would knock down toilets, put buggies on roof tops and things like that. I don't remember any trick or treating by us younger boys.

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Chapter 6 - continued

Radio or television had not been invented yet. For family entertainment we had an Edison phonograph with a half dozen cylindrical records. Also we learned to play checkers and card games such as old maid, cribbage and rummy. Stores were open from 8:00 a.m. to about 8:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. Dad came home for both lunch and dinner. We called it dinner and supper. Nothing was open on Sundays.

On the other side of our swimming lake, a State Tuberculosis Hospital was being built. When it was finished, a dedication ceremony was held, and State dignitaries were there from the State Capital. My folks attended because Dad was mayor at the time.

Mostly I remember it because we children were left at home in charge of a baby sitter. She was middle aged and we were not very fond of her. During the evening, after Joy and I had been put to bed, our very young sister, perhaps six months old, got hysterical when the strange lady tried to feed her. People could hear her all over town and none of us could calm her until Mother got home.

Chapter 7 - Eating Habits

I have told you about the weather, and our house and town and about our every day activities. Now about food.

Mother canned quite a bit of vegetables and fruits like beans, strawberries, pickles, jellies and jams. Canned goods and potatoes were stored in the cellar. No locally grown fresh fruit was available. Instead we ate dried apples, peaches, prunes and apricots for fruit. They were soaked in water and stewed. They were good and also cheap, being purchased in bulk from the local grocer, who got them in barrels, same as pickles and crackers. We never heard of cantaloupes or grapefruit. Once in a while we had oranges. Standard breakfasts included pancakes, oat meal or corn mush cereal, eggs, sausage, fresh pork and bread or biscuits. Bacon or ham was rare. For dinner we had such things as baked beans or bean soup with bread and stewed fruit or an apple. For supper we often had fresh meat from the local meat market, bread, potatoes, and pie or cake or stewed fruit for dessert. The folks drank tea rather than coffee and we children drank milk. In the fall we often ate duck, goose or prairie chicken.

Our bread was made at home by Mother. We bought 500 pounds of flour each fall and stored it in the attic. It was in 100 pound sacks. Later it came in 50 pound size and was easier to handle. The empty bags were made into clothing or used for dish towels.

There was a flour bin in the kitchen cabinet mentioned previously. Mother baked three loaves twice a week, plus cinnamon rolls occasionally. I don't recall any bakery in town. Sometimes we popped corn or made candy or doughnuts. I suppose our diets were unbalanced and deficient. Of course we never heard of vitamins, calories or minerals. Each evening it was my Job to take a small Karo syrup pail to a neighbor and bring back a quart of milk. We purchased 20 tickets for a dollar and each ticket, in the empty pail was good for one quart. Sometimes the neighbor would still be milking when I arrived and would give me some warm milk extra, fresh from the cow. In the summer time his two cows, plus 25 or 30 others in town, were picked up each morning by a farm boy on horseback. He drove them out of town where they grazed all day, then brought them back. For this he charged one dollar per cow per month.

I guess our diet contained plenty of calories. The average middle aged woman was overweight, being stocky and well padded, just like the squaws we saw on the Reservation. Slim women were considered under-nourished. Lots of adults had all sorts of ailments such a kidney, stomach, heart and liver disorders, plus rheumatism and tuberculosis. But I never heard of cancer of emphysema. Sick people who could afford it went to the famous Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota. Tuberculosis sufferers could go to the State Tuberculosis Sanitarium close to town. Otherwise the closest hospital was at Rugby--forty miles away.

-to be continued-