Ingraham Reunions

Descendents of Lorenzo W. Ingraham

By

Donna Ingraham Wernberg

Lorenzo W. Ingraham along with his wife and five sons William, Samuel, Alonzo, Alexander, and John and their wives moved to a settlement near Laurel, Iowa in the 1870's. Lorenzo had farm land 3 3/4 miles west of Laurel and they all farmed together for a period of time. The first winter they were there they stayed with a woman named Mrs. Thompson. Shortly after that a small home was built on what is now the Gilbert Ingraham farm just to the north of the larger home they built. That home still exists and Gilbert Ingraham still lives there. When he added on to the home, he found boards from the original home and he framed the Century Farm certificate with some of the boards.

Within a year of their arrival they began yearly reunions that lasted until the 1980's. These reunions provided much needed fun, leisure, food, conversation and continuity. One of the reunions was for Lorenzo's 95th birthday. There is a wonderful picture of this event and my father remembers it very well even though he was very young. The event took place at the farm on which he still lives.

Lorenzo's 95th

The Family Reunion Celebrating Lorenzo Ingraham's 95th Birthday Party

The food at the reunion was always home made and wonderful. My father remembers the delicious cakes and pies. There was also usually fried chicken, fruits and vegetables that were home grown. In later years there was home made ice cream. There were several women who were 7th Day Adventists and since they could not cook on Saturday, they brought no food on Sunday for the reunions. This did not stop them, however, from eating food that others had prepared on Saturday. This provided many comments by the other women!!!

There was always a small program provided by the guests. Sometimes songs were sung. Sometimes there were readings, tap dances, cards that were read from those who could not attend. During the war years those in service were listed and cards were sent to them. There was always a dollar given to the youngest child and the oldest adult. It was noted if people came from many miles away. There were people from all over the United States who attended.

The reunion book, which is in the possession of Donna Ingraham Wernberg, became a record of births, deaths, and marriages. It is a wonderful tool for genealogists. There was always a President elected as well as a Secretary/Treasurer. People were also elected to find the location for the next reunion and to make the coffee. Usually there were 50 to 100 people in attendance. They usually collected dues for cards and whatever was needed for the reunion.

The location sof the reunions were different in later years. Sometimes they were held in Gilman, the Smith Park near Laurel, Grinnell, Newton and Laurel. The last reunion that I remember was held in the 1970's in Gilman. By that time the attendance had dwindled to just a few people. All of Lorenzo's sons had passed away and most of their children were gone. Also many had moved away and the family was dispersed all over the world.

One of the goals of the reunion was to buy a large headstone for Lorenzo and his wife in the Laurel cemetery. There were also funds set up to care for his grave. Many of the Ingrahams over the years have been buried in this cemetery 1 mile west and 1mile north of Laurel.

Sadly these reunions have been discontinued but the memories and the records remain. My mind can still see the ladies dressed in their Sunday best toting their best recipes, men dressed in good pants, white shirts, suspenders, and straw hats and children playing together. What I miss most are the people and the many tales of Ingrahams.

Below is a list of many of the people who attended the reunions. Perhaps readers might find their names, their parents names or names of people they knew.

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