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series “Little House on the Prairie” was spawned
with the first book, “Little House in the Big Woods”,
published in 1932. This first book was originally
written as an autobiography but was rejected by the
publisher and re-written as a book for adolescents.
In total the series was comprised of eight books
recording the frontier experiences of a rural farm
family much like what was portrayed in the “Little
House” TV series.
Even though Laura’s first book wasn’t published until
she was 65 years old, she and Almanzo would live
for several years afterward either in Mansfield, MO
or on their “Rocky Ridge Farm”. Laura continued
writing, with the last book “These Happy Golden
The Ingalls family,L to R: “Ma” Caroline Quiner Ingalls, Carrie Ingalls, Years” published in 1943. In 1949 Almanzo passed
Laura Ingalls Wilder, “Pa” Charles Ingalls, Grace Ingalls and Mary Ingalls. away at age 92 and Laura died in 1957 aged 90. They
It was about this same time that Laura became are both buried in Mansfield, Missouri.
actively involved in her community. She had always Laura Ingalls Wilder’s endearing legacy continues to
been actively involved with church but by World this day as the children’s series she authored is still
War I she was a member of a number of ladies social popular. “Since the publication of Little House in the
clubs and actively involved in Eastern Star where she Big Woods (1932), the books have been continuously
was annually elected an officer and attend district in print and have been translated into 40 other
activities. languages.” (Wikipedia)
Laura and Rose always kept up a busy correspondence Charles Ingalls was raised in De Smet, South Dakota
and at various times Rose would return to Missouri in February, 1887. “In 1891, Laura’s mother and
to live with her parents. By the 1920’s Rose had younger sister Carrie were charter members of the
lived in San Francisco, New York City, traveled and Eastern Star chapter in De Smet. Charles and Laura
lived throughout Europe. By now she had become a became members of the Eastern Star in 1893.”
successful writer, and it would be she who encouraged “Laura became a member of the Easter Star chapter
and assisted her mother Laura to become a writer as in Mansfield in 1897; Almanzo joined the Lodge in
well. 1898 and the Eastern Star chapter in 1902. Between
Laura’s first writings appeared as a column in the 1897 and 1931…Laura served as an officer over
twenty-five times. She was Worthy Matron three
Missouri Ruralist starting in 1911 and was entitled different times …and served as a district officer”.
“As a Farm Woman Thinks”. Included were articles (Little Lodges on the Prairie by Teresa Lynn)
on how to make the farm more productive, self-
help, and ways to assist others. Laura also wrote for
other magazines such as Country Gentleman and
told of her own as well as daughter Rose’s travels.
Laura’s popularity was further augmented by her
many community and area involvements in clubs,
Eastern Star, and as a loan officer for the Farm Loan
Association. While Laura was the driving force in the
Wilder household, Almanzo contributed in his own
way raising registered livestock, serving as a director
for the county fair, and being an active Mason.
While never serving as a line officer he was a faithful
attender and usually held an office in the local Lodge.
Laura’s writing skills improved through the years
due in part to Rose’s direction, encouragement, and
publishing contacts. It was Rose who also encouraged
her mother to record her own life experiences. It was
from these writings that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s famous Charles Ingalls grave
Montana Freemason Page 29 Jan/Feb 2024 Volume 100 No.1
