Character of the Month

Introduction Caroline Lake Quiner Ingalls was born Caroline Lake Quiner. She would some day grow up to be "Ma" and a few years after her death, her second oldest daughter, Laura would write down all the events that Caroline and her family had endured during the days of pioneering. Ma lived a long 84 years. As dutiful and loving mother, Caroline worked all through her life, caring for her four daughters, one who was blind. Ma didn't get much credit as she should have for the Little House Series. She played the stern, yet loving mother who only lived to take care of her children.

Birth Caroline was born to Henry and Charlotte Quiner. It was said that Caroline was the first non-Indian baby born in the vicinity. When Caroline was five years old, her father died in a ship wreck and left his many children and a wife. The family moved to Concord, Wisconsin. Then in 1849, Charlotte remarried to a man named Fredrick Holbrook.

Marriage In Concord, Ma met and married Charles Ingalls "Pa". Charles and Caroline started their new life in the early days of hte Civil War. Caroline's brother had married Charles' sister, Polly. In 1862, the Ingalls and Quiners packed up their wagon and traveled to the Mississippi River and stopped at a town named Pepin.

Children Caroline and Charles had five children together. Their eldest was named Mary Amelia who was born on Charles' birthday in 1865. Their second daughter, Laura Elizabeth was named after Charles' mother on February 7, 1867. Both daughters were born in Pepin, Wisconsin. Then, when the family lived on the "little house on the prairie", Caroline Celestia was born in 1870 on August 3. Their fourth child, a son, Charles Fredrick, was born November 1, 1875 but soon died when the family visited South Troy, Minnesota. Their fifth and last child, Grace Pearl was born May 23, 1877.

Lonely Years When Laura grew up and married in 1885, then Grace in 1901, Caroline lost her husband of about forty-one years. Carrie bought her own prairie claim and moved away but lived six months a year from 1905-1908 with her mother and sister. In 1912, Carrie married mine owner, David Swanzey. the only ones living in the house was Caroline herself and Mary, her blind daughter. She often received letters from her only granddaughter, Rose in faraway Missouri. she busied herself with church and town happenings.

Death On Easter Sunday, 1924 Caroline passed away sadly, leaving her four daughters. News from the telegraph told Laura the sad news of her mother's passing. As Caroline left this world, she left behind a wonderful life of pioneering, love, and family.