Almanzo James Wilder

Pioneer, Farmer, Literary Subject. Born on February 13, 1857, near Malone, New York. Almanzo was the fifth of six children born to James and Angeline Day Wilder. The Wilder family moved from Malone to Spring Valley, Minnesota, in 1875, while Almanzo and his older brother, Royal, stayed in Malone to caretake the old farm. From there, Royal and Almanzo set out for DeSmet, South Dakota, becoming two of the first settlers of that town. In 1885, Almanzo married LAURA INGALLS in DeSmet, and their daughter, Rose, was born the following year. In 1894, the little family relocated to Mansfield, Missouri, where Almanzo and Laura built the successful Rocky Ridge Farm. In 1932, Laura began writing her "Little House" books, about her pioneer childhood and youth, and one of the series, "Farmer Boy" was based on Almanzo's boyhood in Malone. Almanzo passed away at Rocky Ridge Farm on October 23, 1949, at the age of ninety-two. The former Wilder family homes in Malone, New York, and Spring Valley, Minnesota, are now museums, along with Rocky Ridge Farm. (bio by: Rae)

CHRONOLOGY:

1857, February 13. Almanzo James Wilder is born to James Mason Wilder and Angeline Albina Day on a farm near Malone, New York.

1867, February 7. Laura Elizabeth Ingalls is born to Charles Philip Ingalls and Caroline Lake Quiner in a log cabin near Pepin, Wisconsin.

1869. The Ingalls family leaves Wisconsin and moves to Kansas.

1871. The Ingalls family returns to Pepin, Wisconsin.

1874. The Ingalls family moves to Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

1876. The Ingalls family leaves Minnesota and moves to Burr Oak, Iowa.

1878. The Ingalls family leaves Iowa and returns to Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

1879. Almanzo Wilder files a homestead claim near DeSmet, Dakota Territory. The Ingalls family leaves Minnesota and moves to DeSmet, Dakota Territory.

Almanzo Wilder 1885, August 25. Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder are married. She and Almanzo make their new home on his claim at DeSmet.

1886, December. Rose Wilder is born.

1888, Spring. Almanzo and Laura suffer from diphtheria. Almanzo resumes work too soon and suffers a relapse causing a stroke that leaves him partially paralyzed. Even though he recovers from the paralysis, he has permanently crippled feet.

1889, July. A baby is born on July 11, lives 27 days and is buried in De Smet, South Dakota.

1889, August 23. Laura and Almanzo lose their home to fire. They build a two-room shanty on the claim.

1890-1891. Laura and Almanzo move to Spring Valley, Minnesota and then to Westville, Florida seeking recovery for Almanzo's weakened health.

1892, August. Laura and Almanzo return to a rented house in DeSmet, South Dakota. Laura works at sewing and Almanzo does carpentry.

1894, July 17. Laura and Almanzo leave DeSmet to build a new home in the Missouri Ozarks. Laura keeps a diary of the trip, later published as "On the Way Home."

Rocky Ridge Farm

1894, August 31. Laura and Almanzo arrive in Mansfield, Missouri with $100 saved from Laura's sewing money. They make a down payment on a 40-acre place that Laura names "Rocky Ridge Farm." In later years, Laura will write the "Little House" books at Rocky Ridge Farm.

1912-1920's. Laura serves as a columnist and as the Home Editor for the "Missouri Ruralist."

1919. Laura writes "The Farmer's Wife Says" for the June issue of "McCall's" magazine.

1925. Laura publishes "My Ozark Kitchen" in the January 17 issue of "Country Gentleman."

1932. Harpers Brothers of New York publishes "Little House in the Big Woods," which is a Junior Literary Guild selection. Harper and its successor firms will publish all subsequent "Little House" titles.

1933. "Farmer Boy" is published.

1935. "Little House on the Prairie" is published.

1937. "On the Banks of Plum Creek" is published.

1938. "On the Banks of Plum Creek" is named Newbery Honor Book by the American Library Association.

1939. "By the Shores of Silver Lake" is published.

1940. "The Long Winter" is published. "By the Shores of Silver Lake" is named an ALA Newbery Honor Book.

1941. "Little Town on the Prairie" is published. "The Long Winter" is named an ALA Newbery Honor Book.

1942. "By the Shores of Silver Lake" is awarded Pacific Northwest Library Young Reader's Choice Award. "Little Town on the Prairie" is named an ALA Newbery Honor Book.

1943. "These Happy Golden Years" is published.

1944. "These Happy Golden Years" is named an ALA Newbery Honor Book.

1949, October 23. Almanzo dies of heart failure at Rocky Ridge Farm.

1953. The "Little House" books are reissued with new illustrations by Garth Williams.

1954 . The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award is established; Laura Ingalls Wilder is presented with the first award.

1957, February 10. Laura dies of heart failure at Rocky Ridge Farm three days after her 90th birthday.

1962. "On the Way Home" is published.

1968, October 30. Rose Wilder Lane dies in her sleep at the age of 81.

1971. "The First Four Years" is published. The "Little House" books are issued in paperback.

1974. "West from Home" is published.

• 1875 census: Almanzo J. Wilder (16, b Franklin Co.,NY); in Burke, NY w parents and sibs.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_(town),_New_York
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield,_Missouri
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almanzo_Wilder
• http://pennyn.tripod.com/
• http://www.almanzowilderfarm.com/
• http://www.hoover.archives.gov/LIW/chronology.html
• http://www.liwfrontiergirl.com/almanzo.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_(TV_series)