California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


DANIEL CASS INGRAM.� Since coming to Mendocino county in 1859 
at the age of twelve years Mr. Ingram has seen much of hardship, privation 
and discouragement, and has had his share of misfortunes, but by persever- 
ance and energy he has overcome obstacles and now ranks among the pro- 
gressive, prosperous farmers of Anderson valley. All of his life from boyhood 
has not been passed within the limits of this county, for at times he has 
engaged in farming or has had occupation in other counties, but he returned 
to his first California home with the firm conviction that here might be found 
opportunities equal to those advertised by more widely known sections of the 
state. In 1903 he bought ninety-four and one-half acres in Anderson valley 
one mile north of Boonville and here he has since engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, having the tract largely under cultivation to grain, with also a valuable 
orchard of assorted fruits. Well directed energy is enabling him to develop 
a productive property. At the same time he and his wife have established a 
hospitable home and have reared a large family to industry and moral worth. 

Mr. Ingram's father, Daniel Holder Ingram, born in Virginia, was a 
farmer in Ohio, where he married Nancy Burgess, a native of that state. 
From Ohio they moved to Fulton county. Ill., where Daniel Cass was born 
August 25, 1847. At the age of four years he was taken to Iowa, the family 
taking up a claim twenty-five miles from Council Bluffs. There he attended 
school for a short time. In many respects the family found the location un- 
desirable and accordingly, in 1859, they started for California, where they 
hoped to secure cheap land and engage in farming. Six months were spent 
in the journey, which was made with ox-teams and wagons. On the arrival 
of the family in Mendocino county they took up land in Anderson valley and 
the boy had an opportunity to attend the Boonville school. Much of his time, 
however, was given to ranch work and from an early age he has been self- 
supporting. At the age of twenty-three years he took up a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres, which he improved and in a few years sold at a small 
profit. The two following years were spent in farming near Calistoga, Napa 
county. On coming back to Mendocino county he settled at Albion and 
engaged as a teaming contractor for the hauling of ties. After two years of 
that work he left Albion and came back to Boonville, where he contracted to 
haul tanbark from Ornbaum to Cloverdale, a large job and one which he 
found to be quite profitable. 

An experience of two years, 1886-88, in Alameda county as a farmer not 
proving successful, Mr. Ingram returned to Mendocino county and rented 
land of his father-in-law. During three years spent on that place he secured 
another start in the world. Later he rented other land and again made a 
small profit for his time and labor. After this he moved to Cloverdale and 
spent seven years in hauling tanbark. With the profits of that period of 
strenuous labor he purchased his present property in Anderson valley and 
here the past decade or more has been given to intelligent labor as a farmer 
and stock-raiser. In politics he is a Republican, but he has had little leisure 
in life to devote to politics and at no time has he been a candidate for office. 
In Anderson valley, July 24, 1870, he married Miss Mary Ellen Clow, who was 
born near Copper Harbor, Mich., July 8, 1852, the daughter of Henry and 
Ellen (Rock) Clow, who brought their family from Michigan via Panama to 
California and engaged in farming at Philo, Mendocino county, and settled 
in Anderson valley in 1867. Of the marriage there are seven children, namely: 
Etta E., Mrs. B. B. Ball, of Ukiah; Charles T., a farmer adjoining the home 
place; Daisy B., Mrs. Smalley, living near Cloverdale; William Erwin, a 
farmer near Cloverdale; Eliza Bell, Mrs. J. A. Lile, of Cloverdale; Mercer 
Earl, also a farmer near Cloverdale ; and Alva Carl, who is on the home place. 
Mrs. Ingram is a member of the Christian church at Boonville.