LUMAN C. INGERSOLL

INGERSOLL, PORTER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/6/2020 at 21:19:00

LUMAN C. INGERSOLL, was born in Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., September 26, 1823. His father, a farmer, resided there till 1833, when, by solicitation of friends, he joined the Oberlin Colony, and went to Oberlin, Ohio, and assisted in founding the College which bears the same name, which as since become so famous. Going into mercantile business, on his arrival in Oberlin, he made money, and gave liberally for the establishment of the College, but in the crisis of 1837 he failed, and Luman was thrown upon his own resources. From that time forward he made his own way in the world. Possessed naturally of an active and inquiring mind, he resolved, first of all, to obtain an education. The preparatory steps he had already taken, by acquiring a fair knowledge of the English branches. To aid him in going through college, he taught and studied at the same time, giving special lessons in some branches in which he was most proficient. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1846. He then spent about six years in teaching and scientific pursuits, in which he cultivated a taste for science and the higher order of medicine., Hence he easily adopted dentistry as most in harmony with his qualification and bent of mind, He had two brothers in the profession, into whose offices he went successively, first in Monroe, Michigan, and then in Elyria, Ohio, and finished his preparation for independent business in the office of Robinson & Ambler, in Cleveland, in which city he also opened an office for himself, in 1853. But the lake air did not agree with him. He contracted a sore throat, and was obliged to seek a more congenial climate, which he found in Keokuk, on his removal here in 1858.

At that time the building on the corner of Third and Main streets, known as Wolcott’s building, was being refitted, and Dr. Ingersoll had three rooms arranged with special reference to his business. He at once took a leading place among the leading dentists of the city. At the outset he resolved to succeed by putting his best thought and skill into his work, and placing everything on the high plane of the most advanced wants of society. He is one of the leading members of the Dental Society of the State. In 1868, the college of Physicians and Surgeons in this city concluded to introduce lectures on dentistry, and Dr. Ingersoll was recommended by the State Dental Society as Lecturer on the Principles of Dental Science, - a position which he has filled with great credit for five years, and holds at the present time. He delivered the valedictory last fall, which was highly complimented as a very successful effort.

Dr. Ingersoll has been three times elected President of the State Dental Society, and Oberlin College, at its last commencement, conferred upon him the degree of A. M. He has delivered several annual addresses before the State Board, which have been sought after for publication.

In his studies and practice, Dr. Ingersoll has taken rank above mechanical dentistry, and devoted his special attention to the art, the science and the therapeutics of the subject, in which he finds a field peculiarly adapted to his genius and taste. He loves to study how to preserve the symmetry of the face and the tones of the voice, and to imitate nature as nearly as possible in re-setting those ornaments of the mouth which, for mere purposes of mastication, might be constructed with much less taste and skill, and he has attained the art to a degree of perfection rarely equalled.

Dr., Ingersoll was married in the State of New York, in April, 1850 to Miss Maria Porter, daughter of Judge T. H. Porter, of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and lives on the corner of Orleans and Seventh streets, in this city, in one of the finest residences in that section, with beautifully ornamented grounds, and all the appliances of a delightful home. He is considered among the wealthy of our citizens, having made his money chiefly out of the profits of his business.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer