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Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer 


				EDMUND AND SARAH (DIXON) INGALLS.

	Edmund Ingalls was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1802.  When nine 
years of age his father moved to what was known as Gouverneur Morris' tract of land, and here in 
the wilderness his mother died, leaving three children at home, of whom Edmund was the eldest.  
He had an elder brother who was married and lived some distance from his father, with whom Edmund
went to live until he was twenty-one, when he was given one hundred dollars and a suit of 
clothes, and he started out to seek his fortune.  We will pass over his struggles with the world 
in his various capacities as saw-mill man and farm-hand until he was twenty-five years of age, 
when he bought a small farm of forty acres for himself, and was married Feb. 7, 1828, to Sarah 
Dixon, formerly from Roxbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., where she was born Jan. 22, 1810.  Her 
mother died when she was six years old.  Her father took her to live with her uncle in Washington
County, where she remained until she was married.  Her father was a seafaring man, and left New 
York on a sail-vessel, September, 1818, and was never heard from more.  Soon after Mr. Ingalls 
was married he traded his land for a larger tract in Allegany Co., N. Y., and removed there, and 
lived in a shanty without window or chimney, only a hole through the roof for the escape of the 
smoke.  But, although he worked very hard, he suffered great hardships, for his land was too poor 
to afford a living, so he determined to go West.  After several ineffectual attempts, being 
deterred by sickness, he started for Illinois, got as far as Ohio, where he stopped to work a 
while.  Here he found parties going to Illinois, who took him along.  On their way back they came
through Southern Michigan, and, hearing much praise of Ionia County, came and located one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in the eastern part of the town.  Returning for his family (whom he had 
left in the southern part of the State), he brought them to Otisco, June, 1844, and pre-empted 
eighty acres of land, where he now lives.  Their first few weeks were spent in Caswell's barn, 
while a log house was being built.  This was of the most primitive kind, even to a blanket for a 
door.  That fall he put in less than an acre of wheat, from which he threshed twelve bushels, and 
made bread from wheat of his own raising.  The first few years upon their new farm their trials 
were severe.  Mrs. Ingalls, being a true helpmeet, had a loom made and took in weaving, which 
aided her husband and furnished many comforts to the family.  At first their progress was slow, 
but by industry and economy they have secured a competence which insures the down-hill of life 
less rugged than the up-hill was.  Six children have been born to them; two died in infancy. 
John P. was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died in a hospital at Bowling Green, Ky., 
March, 1863; Frank D. is a farmer in Otisco; Susan C. married Gains Northway, a farmer in 
Missouri; Diana M. married Amasa L. Hull, a farmer in Oakfield, Kent Co.
	Mr. Ingalls and his wife united with the Baptist Church in Washington Co., N. Y., soon 
after they were married.  On coming to Otisco they joined the church at Cook's Corners, where 
they have since been consistent and worthy members.
	Mr. Ingalls was formerly a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party 
identified himself with that organization.  Although he has nearly reached his fourscore years, 
he reads the papers and is well posted on the political questions of the day.  And now, after a 
married life of more than half a century, this pioneer couple are in good health and cheerful 
spirits, as they look back over the joys and sorrows of an industrious life.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Page 292.  Otisco.