Ingham, John

INGHAM, MILLER

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 2/27/2013 at 07:56:25

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

INGHAM, JOHN—Scott Twp—pg 766. Farmer, section 3, P.O. Brooklyn. Is a native of Baltimore county, Maryland, where he was born, February 3, 1843, beginning life as a farmer boy. In 1849, in company with his parents, he moved to Mahaska county, Iowa. Here young Ingham spent some of his younger years on a farm, attending school each winter, going over two miles, through snow two feet deep on a level, with no roads, receiving his instruction in a log house, through which the snow and wind had free access. In company with his father he often made trips to Iowa City with ox teams after good for merchants in Montezuma, occupying a week or more each trip. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in company H, Eighth Iowa, going from Mahaska county, serving in the western army for three years. Was in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, receiving a slight wound in the right arm. He was at the surrender of Jackson, Mississippi; then at Vicksburg, where he was under fire during the entire battle. Was in Red River campaign and many minor encounters, the last fight being with Forrest on his raid into Memphis. Was taken prisoner at Pittsburg Landing with Gen. Prentice, being held as such some two months, where he suffered such inhuman treatment at their hands as no tongue can tell or pen portray, often living on food not fit for swine. Mr. I., after receiving his discharge at Davenport upon the expiration of term of enlistment, returned to his home, where he remained a short time; then went to Bear Creek township, where he farmed four years, and while there, in 1866 was married to Miss Mary A. Miller, of Warren township, and in the company with his young wife removed to Scott township, in 1868, and after improving three farms bought the fourth farm, where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. I have two children: Nettie A. and Emery H. Mr. I. is an energetic, active, Christian worker and prominent citizen of the county, having been trustee, school director, president of school board, as well as filling many other positions of trust. Has also taken an active part in the Sunday-school and M.E. Church. His present farm of 160 acres he has all in the best cultivation, having a very fine new house and barn; also a large orchard of very choice fruit trees, including all of the very best varieties of apples. There are about 150 evergreens on the place.