Franklin Ingraham and Belle C. Lee Staying in New York State
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Franklin Ingraham (1858-1944) and Belle Captola Lee (1866-1920)
Another Generation in New York State
Franklin Ingraham was born 20 Mar 1858, most likely in Andover, Allegany County, New York. As a 6-year-old boy, in 1864, he was living with his mother in Greenwood, Steuben County, New York. The family was nearly destitute while his father, David A. Ingraham, was away fighting in the Civil War.
Franklin was usually called Frank and also nicknamed Hank. He was the third of ten children born to David Alman Ingraham and Harriet Lusty.
Frank can be found in the 1860 Census, just a baby of two years of age living with his parents, and in the 1880 Census, a bachelor living as a boarder with the Norton family in Canadice, Ontario, New York. He is also in the New York State Census for 1865. That Census reveals his parents -- David and Harriet -- as well as his siblings: Robert, 9; Mary 5; and Minnie, 0.
Marriage, Sons and a Daughter
Frank married Belle Captola Lee in 1885 in Andover, Allegany County, New York. Belle was born 27 April 1866 in Andover; she was nearly eight years younger than her husband. She was sometimes called Belle and sometimes called Captola.
Frank and Belle can be found in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censues living in Andover with their children.
Allegany County was first formed in 1683, but it was divided up several times between 1760 and 1770. Andover — which lies on the eastern border of the county — was formed from the city of Independence in 1824. The land is hilly and was once covered with pine forests. Dykes Creek and Elm Creek flow through the county; the soil is best for grazing. Pine lumber was manufactured there for many years, but that is gone now; dairy farms are the main agricultural endeavour. 2
Frank and Belle Captola had three children:
- Robert Lee Ingraham b. 15 Feb 1888 (see photograph below) 3
- Harry D. Ingraham b. 1891
- Roxie b. 1902
In some writings by Robert Lee Ingraham, Frank and Belle's older son, he says: "When I was about 6 years old my parents gave up farming and moved to the town of Andover, New York. ...an epidemic of diptheria swept the school and I along with a lot of others caught it. My mother and younger brother contracted it from me but luckily none of us died. My mother, who was a very pretty woman, lost her voice and all of her beasutiful long chestnut hair came out and for the next ten years she wore a wig and could only whisper. Those were dark days."
As Belle's hair is quite short in the above photograph, one can assume that it was taken perhaps during those ten years. Or even later. Perhaps she never gained back "beautiful long chestnut hair."
Ending Life where It Began
It would appear that both Frank and Belle were born, lived, and died in Andover, New York. Belle died there after 1920, but the exact date of her death is, as yet, unknown.
Belle died 19 February 1920, but Frank lived on for more than twenty years, passing away on 30 May 1944, when he was 86 years old. Both were buried in Andover, Allegany County, New York. However, Frank has not yet been found in the Census records beyond 1920.
This page written and researched by Susan Overturf Ingraham, wife of Robert Philip Ingraham, a descendant of Franklin Ingraham and Belle Captola Lee. This page last updated on May 27, 2023.
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