We’re still visiting rural Colorado in 1910 with the introduction of George Ingalls. Any fan of Little House on the Prairie would want to find out who this man was. Well, George W. Ingalls was born in Connecticut around 1860. He was the son of George Ingalls and Phiania; both of whom were also born in Connecticut. His grandfather was George S. Ingalls. But the line of George would end with George W.

George Ingalls of Ordway, Colorado, 1910

Here’s the wonderfully abundant timeline of his and his family’s life thanks to census records:

1850 – George’s father (George) was 24 living with his father (George S.) a blacksmith, aged 63 and his siblings: Eliza, Nancy,and Ellen. They lived in Pomfret, CT. His mother had apparently already passed away.

1860 – Still in Pomfret, CT. Father George had now married Phiania and had two children of their own Clarissa (5) and Henry (2). They still lived with grandfather George S. who was still working as a blacksmith.

1870 – Pomfred, CT. The tables had turned George S. was no longer Head of household. At age 80 he lived with son George and Phiania. They were farmers. Our George now entered the picture, he was 9 years older with siblings Clarissa and Henry.

1880 – The family made a move to Stapelton, Chickasaw, Iowa. Our George was 19, Clarissa, 25. George S. had died 5 years earlier in February of 1875. Tragically so had big brother Henry. Henry died about one month before grandfather George at the young age of 17. Both are buried in Windham County, CT.

1885 – George & Phiania lived alone still in Chicksaw, IA; still farming.

1900 – Our George has married! According to the census in 1882 he and Gertrude married and at some point moved to Otero county, Colorado. Probably before 1885 since they are not in that census. They have two children: Clarissa and Henry. Clearly George was very close to his brother and sister. George’s occupation was Stock Raiser.

1910 – the year of the photo: Ordway, Otero county, CO. George W. was a farmer (when he wasn’t busy with the Reception Committee for the 4th of July!) Daughter Clarissa, now 25, was teaching and son Henry aged 26 had no occupation listed.

1920 – George W., Gertrude, and Clarissa now live in Manzanola, CO. George’s occupation was Bee Man in a Apiary! Clarissa was still teaching and Henry has moved on to bigger things.

1930 – Another big move, this time to Basin, Big Horn county, Wyoming. This appeared to be George and Gertrude’s retirement home. No occupation is listed.

1936 – A short 6 years of retirement; George W. died and is buried in Mount View Cemetery in Basin, WY. Gertrude died later that same year and is buried with him.

The Ingalls’ Family Tree