Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder, a name synonymous with the American pioneer spirit, remains a celebrated figure in American literature. Her autobiographical "Little House" series, most notably Little House on the Prairie, has captivated generations with its vivid depiction of frontier life. The enduring popularity of these books led to the beloved television series of the same name, further cementing Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s place in popular culture. But beyond the fictionalized accounts lies a compelling story of a woman who lived the very experiences she so eloquently chronicled.

Born on February 7, 1867, in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin, just north of Pepin, Laura Ingalls Wilder was the second of five children born to Charles Philip Ingalls and Caroline Lake (Quiner) Ingalls. Her early years were defined by constant movement, a reflection of her father’s restless spirit and his yearning for the promise of the unsettled West. Laura’s formal education was sporadic at best, punctuated by periods of intensive learning in one-room schoolhouses and interspersed with the practical education of frontier life. The Ingalls family’s journey took them through Kansas, Minnesota, and Iowa, before they finally settled in De Smet, South Dakota, where Laura would experience a semblance of stability and attend school more consistently.

The family’s westward trek was not without its hardships. Their first venture led them to land near Independence, Kansas, which was not yet legally open for homesteading. This area, still considered Indian Territory, proved untenable, and the family was forced to retreat back to Wisconsin. However, Charles Ingalls’s unwavering pioneer spirit soon propelled them westward again, this time to a preemption claim in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. During this period, they resided with relatives near South Troy, assisting in the operation of a hotel in Burr Oak, Iowa. Eventually, Charles secured their claim in Walnut Grove and found employment as the town butcher and Justice of the Peace, offering a temporary respite from their nomadic existence.

In 1879, Charles Ingalls embarked on a new venture, working with the Railroad in eastern Dakota Territory. This opportunity led him to discover a homestead in De Smet, South Dakota, a place that would become his permanent home and the backdrop for many of Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s most beloved stories.

The Ingalls family’s experiences were a tapestry woven with threads of both hardship and resilience. They faced devastating crop failures due to relentless grasshopper plagues, endured a winter of unrelenting blizzards that threatened their very survival, and grappled with constant financial instability. Tragedy also struck the family, with the death of Laura’s infant brother, Charles Frederick, at just nine months old. Further heartbreak followed when their sister, Mary, lost her eyesight at the young age of 15 after an illness, a profound event that would deeply impact the family dynamic.

The family’s fortunes began to improve when Charles secured the railroad job. Laura continued her education, eventually earning her "Third Grade" teaching certificate at the age of 17. This accomplishment allowed her to contribute financially to her family, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in De Smet. Simultaneously, she gained experience working for a local dressmaker and even attended high school. However, her burgeoning independence was soon interrupted by a new chapter in her life: her relationship with Almanzo Wilder, a local homesteader.

On August 25, 1885, Laura Ingalls married Almanzo Wilder, marking a significant turning point in her life. She relinquished her teaching career to assist Almanzo with his homestead, embracing the demanding life of a pioneer wife. On December 5, 1886, they welcomed their only child, Rose, into the world.

The early years of Laura and Almanzo’s marriage were fraught with challenges. Almanzo suffered a debilitating bout of diphtheria, leaving him partially paralyzed. They endured the heartbreak of losing a stillborn son. A devastating fire consumed their home and barn, leaving them with nothing. And a severe drought plunged them into deep debt. These hardships tested their resilience and forced them to make difficult decisions.

In 1890, seeking a fresh start, the Wilders embarked on another period of migration, moving to Minnesota, then to Florida, before ultimately returning to South Dakota. Finally, in 1894, they settled in Mansfield, Missouri, at a place they christened Rocky Ridge Farm. Even in this new location, they faced initial struggles, necessitating a temporary move into a rental property in Mansfield. However, a turning point arrived when Laura’s parents gifted them the deed to the house they were renting. This act of generosity provided them with a foundation upon which to build their future.

Gradually, the Wilders began to prosper. They sold their house in town, expanded their land holdings from 40 to over 200 acres, and transformed their small log cabin into a spacious ten-room farmhouse with accompanying outbuildings, a project completed in 1910. Rocky Ridge Farm evolved into a thriving poultry and dairy farm, complete with an apple orchard. Almanzo became actively involved in various local organizations and gained recognition as an authority on rural living and poultry farming, leading to invitations to speak before groups throughout the region. Their daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, was carving out a successful writing career, inspiring Laura Ingalls Wilder to explore her own literary aspirations.

Around 1911, Laura accepted a position as a columnist and editor with the Missouri Ruralist, a role she maintained until the 1920s. Her column, As a Farm Woman Thinks, garnered a devoted following as she shared her thoughts on home, family, world events, and her daughter Rose’s travels. Rose’s success as a freelance writer eventually led her to invest in the burgeoning stock market, a decision that would later prove crucial in supporting her aging parents. By the late 1920s, the Wilders scaled back their farming operations as Almanzo, now 70, found it increasingly difficult to manage the demanding workload.

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 brought renewed hardship. Although Laura and Almanzo still owned their 200 acres, they had entrusted a significant portion of their savings to Rose’s broker, which was wiped out in the market crash. Faced with financial uncertainty, Laura turned to her daughter in 1930 with a manuscript based on her childhood and pioneering experiences. This work would eventually become Little House in the Big Woods, the first book in the "Little House" series.

The success of Little House in the Big Woods encouraged Laura to continue writing. While the extent of Rose’s contribution to the final versions of the "Little House" books remains a subject of debate, it is clear that their collaboration resulted in a financial windfall that helped the Wilders recover from their investment losses. Laura’s initial royalty check in 1932 was modest, but by the mid-1930s, the royalties became substantial, providing a secure income for the Wilders.

During this period, Rose also explored the Wilder family’s history in a more adult format, resulting in the novels Let the Hurricane Roar (1932) and Free Land (1938). Let the Hurricane Roar was adapted into a radio dramatization starring Helen Hayes and continues to be published today under the title Young Pioneers. Rose Wilder Lane, who left Rocky Ridge Farm in the late 1930s, later became a prominent figure in the American Libertarian movement, dedicating her writing to promoting principles of personal freedom and liberty.

Meanwhile, Laura and Almanzo sold off much of the surrounding property to their farmhouse, choosing to live independently without financial worries. Almanzo passed away at the age of 93 in 1949. Laura, determined to remain on the farm, was cared for by neighbors and friends and visited by Rose during the winters. In the fall of 1956, at the age of 89, Laura became seriously ill due to undiagnosed diabetes and a weakened heart. On February 10, 1957, just three days after her 90th birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder died in her Mansfield, Missouri farmhouse.

Following her death, ownership of Rocky Ridge Farm reverted to a farmer who purchased the surrounding land. However, the residents of Mansfield recognized the historical significance of the property and organized a non-profit corporation to buy back the house and its grounds, transforming it into a museum that attracts thousands of visitors annually. Rose Lane inherited the literary estate of the "Little House" series, but according to Laura’s will, the rights were to revert to the Mansfield Library after Rose’s death.

However, between her mother’s death and her own in 1968, Rose managed to renew all copyrights for her mother’s works, as well as her own, under the name of Roger MacBride, an informally adopted grandson, business agent, attorney, and heir. After MacBride’s death in 1995, the Mansfield Library attempted to regain control of the copyrights to Laura’s "Little House" series, but the case was ultimately settled, with control remaining in the MacBride family.

The "Little House" series continues to enjoy immense popularity, spawning a multimillion-dollar franchise that includes the long-running television show, spin-off book series, and mass merchandising. Beyond the financial success, Laura’s legacy is honored through numerous elementary schools named after her. In 1993, she was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians. Even a crater on Venus bears her name, a testament to her enduring impact on American culture. The stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us of the resilience, resourcefulness, and enduring spirit of the American pioneers.