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To “prove a claim” under the Homestead Act, homesteaders had to settle and cultivate a claim for at least five years and then testify before a representative of the United States government. The following is the 1886 homestead proof of Charles Ingalls, Laura Ingalls Wilder's father, transcribed from a copy in the National Archives.
Charles P. Ingalls being called as a witness in his own behalf in support of homestead entry No. 40.91, for North East 1/4 Sec 3-110-56 testifies as follows:
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Ques. 1.—What is your name—written in full and correctly spelled—your age and postoffice address?
Ans. Charles P. Ingalls, [30?] years of age
De Smet Kingsbury Co/Dak
Ques. 2.—Are you a native of the United States, or have you been naturalized?
Ans. Native Born citizen
Ques. 3.—When was your house built on the land, and when did you establish actual residence there-in? (Describe said house and other improvements which you have placed on the land, giving total value thereof.)
Ans. In May 1880. In May 1880. Frame House 14 x 20 addition 12 x 16 one story, good well and pump. Frame barn hay roof 16 x 24, 60 acres breaking apple trees, bearing; plum trees bearing small fruit in abundance about 6000 fruit trees some of term 6 years old. Total value, $1000.00
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Ques. 4.—Of whom does your family consist; and have you and your family resided continuously on the land since first establishing residence thereon? (If unmarried, state the fact.)
Ans. Wife and four children. I have, except as answered in next question
Ques. 5.—For what period or periods have you been absent from the homestead since making settle-ment, and for what purpose; and if temporarily absent, did your family reside upon and cultivate the land during such absence?
Ans. I was absent. I was absent about 3 months in the winter of 1881 and 1882 and 3 months in 1882 + 1883. So that children could go to school. Since which time our residence has been continuous
Ques. 6.—How much of the land have you cultivated, and for how many seasons have you raised crops thereon?
Ans. Sixty acres. Have raised crops on some of it six seasons
Ques. 7.—Are there any indications of coal, salines or minerals of any kind of the land? (If so describe what they are, and state whether the land is more valuable for agricultural than for mineral purposes.)
Ans. No. Only valuable for agricultural purposes.
Ques. 8.—Have you ever made any other homestead entry? (If so, describe the same.)
Ans. No
Ques. 9.—Have you sold, conveyed, or mortgaged any portion of the land; and if so to whom and
for what purpose?
Ans. No. No. No.
Charles P. Ingalls
I hereby Certify that the foregoing testimony was read to the claimant before being subscribed, and was sworn to before me this 7 day of May, 1886; and I further certify that the reason why this affidavit is sworn to before me is that the Judge of the District Court for this Kingsbury County is not a resident of this county, and is now absent.
Jon E. [Rosedorph?]
Judge the Officer Clerk of the Probate Court in and for Kingsbury County, Dakota Territory.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration
Appears in
Wilder, Laura Ingalls; Homestead Laws
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