Laura Elizabeth Ingalls was born to Charles Phillip and Caroline Quiner Ingalls (we commonly refer to them today as Pa and Ma) on February 7, 1867 in a log cabin in Pepin, Wisconsin. In her first book, (in a series of children’s books Laura began writing at the age of 64) “Little House in the Big Woods”, Laura discusses her early memories. The series of books discusses her childhood with her family as both a settler and pioneer.
Laura was the second of five children-her older sister Mary Amelia, her younger sister Caroline Celestia (Carrie), Charles Frederick (who died as an infant), and Grace Pearl. When Laura was two years old, the Ingalls moved to (modern day) Independence, Kansas. After Charles learning it was an Indian reservation and having no legal right to occupy it, they moved back to Wisconsin living there for three years. Around 1874, the Ingalls family again moved to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, living in a dugout (“On the Banks Of Plum Creek”). After crops had been destroyed two years in a row, the Ingalls then moved to Burr Oak, Iowa. Charles helped run a hotel while they lived in Burr Oak. After another year of crops being ruined, they moved back to Walnut Grove.In 1888, they moved to DeSmet, South Dakota. This is where Laura would meet her future husband, Almanzo Wilder. In 1882, Laura accepted her first teaching position. Schools then were very different from schools today, they were one room schools. Laura received her teaching certificate and taught to help her family financially. Laura continued to teach until she married Almanzo on August 25, 1885.
Almanzo received a deed prosperity on his homestead claim north of De Smet, which is where Laura and Almanzo lived. On December 5, 1886, their first child was born, Rose Wilder. In 1889, Laura gave birth to a son who tragically died 12 days after his birth before his parents could name him. One theory today as cause of his death was due to Laura (and Almanzo) having had diphtheria in 1888. As a result of Almanzo having diphtheria and returning to work on the farm too soon (and against doctor’s orders), Almanzo suffered a mild stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. In time, he regained use of his legs, but not fully. He walked with a cane the rest of his life.
Circa October, 1891, Laura and Almanzo moved Westville, Florida, where Almanzo’s brother lived. They did so in hopes the climate would aid in Almanzo’s health, but found it didn’t. In 1892, they returned to De Smet, purchasing a home. In 1894, they moved to Mansfield, Missouri, naming the house Rocky Ridge Farm. Initially, their only income was selling wagon loads of fire wood for 50 cents. They planted apple trees, but the trees didn’t develop fruit for several years. With the financial aid of Almanzo’s parents, they added to their property, eventually accruing 200 acres. They expanded to poultry, dairy farm, in addition to their apple orchard.
In 1911, Laura was asked to submit an article to the “Missouri Ruralist”, which led to a permanent position as a columnist and editor. She retained this position until the 1920’s. Around 1930, Laura requested her daughter Rose’s opinion about an autobiographical manuscript of her childhood. Rose had become a writer and journalist by this time. In 1932, Harper & Brothers published Laura’s first book “Little House in the Big Woods” at Rose’s insistence and connections.
After Almanzo’s passing away in 1949 at the age of 92, Laura remained at Rocky Ridge Farm, where she continued writing. In 1956, Rose returned to be with her mother, who was now in ailing health due to diabetes. Laura passed away in her sleep on February 10, 1957, just three days after her 90th birthday. Today, Laura’s series of books have sold over 60 million copies in over 100 countries, and translated in 40 languages.
Map of the Ingalls/Wilder Travels – a huge thank you to Tana Redman and everyone at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Mansfield, MO for the use of the map.