Robert L. Inghram, deceased. The esteemed pioneer is gratefully remembered in Nez Perces County for he was a good man and manifested enterprise and wisdom in his walk during his life. He did much to build up Nez Perces County, as he did also for other portions of the west; his death was a loss to all, and sincere mourning among a large circle attended the sad event.
Robert L. Inghram was born in Holton, Maine, on December 16, 1838, being the son of Robert and Martha (Stuart) Inghram. The father was born in England and the mother in Ludlow, Maine, and died in 1892. Robert L. remained at home and assisted his brothers to care for his mother after the father’s death, which occurred when this son was young. Upon the breaking out of the war, the older brothers, John and Frank, enlisted, the former giving his life and the latter one limb for his country. Our subject worked on the farm, the mother keeping the children all together, and attended school; when he became of age, he came west and was in Nez Perces County in 1872.
He assisted to build Dr. Baker’s railroad to Walla Walla, it being the first line into that city, running from Wallula to Walla Walla After two years he went east and in 1876 came to California; the following year he was in Lewiston, coming thither in the employ of the government. He also lumbered some on the Clearwater and in 1878, he went east sold out and brought his family to Walla Walla in 1880. He took charge of Baker & Company’s flume works and in 1882, came to Lewiston. He took up the land where the family now lives, and then went to work on the Northern Pacific. The family held the homestead while he labored; later he came to the farm and then took a preemption and also bought land until he left an estate of four hundred and eighty acres. He prospered in his labors but in 1891, he was suddenly taken with La Grippe and although rugged and had never been sick, he succumbed to the disease on April 26, and went hence 1o the scenes of another world. He had the following brothers and sisters, Amos, deceased; John, died in the army; Frank, Charlie, Mary, Joseph and Samuel.
On July 2, 1862, Mr. Inghram married Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Jane (Stevens) Small. The father was a farmer, born in Miramichi. Canada, and came to the United States when young. The mother was born in Canada, also, but her father was born in England and married in Scotland. Mrs. Ingham’s paternal grandfather Small was born in New York and married a Miss Mitchell. Mrs. Inghram was born in Miramichi, Canada, on August 30, 1842, and her brothers and sisters are named as follows, Mary Stuart, Myra Smith, Nancy, Alfreta, all deceased; Lydia Smith, Anna Cochran; George Small and Ellis. To our worthy subject and his estimable wife there were born the following named children, John, Bernard, deceased, Robert, Alfreta and David.
Mr. Inghram was a member of the K. of P. He was a Republican and an active worker for the advancement of good principles and while he worked faithfully for his friends, he never accepted preferment for himself. At his death, he left a good property for his wife and children and they have now a good place and a nice band of cattle.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903