Biographical Sketches
ROBERT J. INGRAHAM
It is especially noticeable in this latter part of the 19th century that one seldom wins prominence or success along more than one line of endeavor. It is the tendency of the age to devote one's entire energies to a certain work, continually concentrating his efforts in a certain direction and toward a certain end; yet in the case of the gentleman whose name commences this record it is demonstrated that not only a leading position but also prosperity may be gained in more than a single line of action. Mr. Ingraham is an eminent lawyer and is no less successful or no less widely known as a stock dealer, and while his extensive law practice in Kansas City attests his professional abilities, his fine stock and fruit farm also indicates a most able management on the part of its owner.
A native of Coshocton, Ohio, Mr. Ingraham was born on the 24th of January, 1864, and is a son of James B. and Sarah Elizabeth (Guthrie) Ingraham, the former a native of Harrison county, Virginia, and the latter of Georgetown, District of Columbia. The Ingraham family is of English origin, and was founded in America many year ago by ancestors who settled in Virginia. The father of our subject was a physician by profession and a graduate of the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio. His death occurred in 1887, at the age of 67 years.
Robert J. Ingraham is the youngest of a family of 9 children. His elementary education, afforded by the common schools, was supplemented by a high school course, which was completed by his graduation in 1879. He afterward engaged in teaching school for 4 years and then came to Kansas City, here entering the office of C. O. Tichnor, a prominent and very able attorney, under whose direction he began and prosecuted the study of law until his thorough preparation had fitted him for admission to the bar. Successfully passing an examination, he was admitted in 1886, but remained in his preceptor's office until 1889, when he entered into partnership with Messrs. Teasdale and Cowherd, under the firm style of Teasdale, Ingraham & Cowherd. This has become one of the foremost law firms of Kansas City, and is now in the enjoyment of a large general practice. Theirs is a distinctive clientage and their business interests they capably handle.
Our subject possesses the essential qualifications of a successful lawyer, and his devotion to his clients' interests, his keen perceptive powers and analytical turn of mind have been the means of bringing to his prosperity in his professional career. As before stated, however, his efforts have not been confined alone to the law. He has a valuable and extensive ranch of 6,000 acres in southern Missouri, where he raises fine Jersey cows, standard-bred trotting horses and blooded hogs. His place is known as the Wallace Pratt Stock and Fruit Ranch. He owns some very fine horses, including Jerome Enbank, sired by Manbrino Chief, with a record of 2:30; Combine, sired by Combination, record 2:16 �; Rob Racine, by Old Wagner; also a very fine registered saddle stallion. His hogs are of the Jersey-Duroc and the Poland-China breeds. He has also 4 standard-bred jacks. The appointments of the farm, its barns and other buildings for the care of his stock are models of convenience, and the equipment is all that could be desired.
Mr. Ingraham has been twice married. He first wedded Elizabeth Wallace Powers, who died in 1889. In 1891 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret Nelon, and they have 1 child, a daughter. Their pleasant home, which is noted for its hospitality, is located in Westport, and of that beautiful and enterprising suburban town Mr. Ingraham is the present efficient and honored mayor. In his political proclivities he is an active democrat.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.