RALPH ISAACS INGERSOLL, son of Hon. Jonathan and Grace
(Isaacs) Ingersoll, was born in New Haven, Conn., Feb. 8th, 1789.
His father graduated at this college in 1766, and his grandfather,
Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll, in 1736.
He studied law with Seth P. Staples, Esq., of New Haven, and
was admitted to the bar in Dec, 1810. He immediately entered
on the practice of his profession in his native city, and was thus
successfully employed, with the exception of the time spent in the
public service, until his last illness. In 1818 he became prominent
in State politics, allying himself with the Democratic party in the
movement for a new Constitution. From 1819 to 1825, he was a
representative of New Haven, in the General Assembly, and for
the last two of these years Speaker. In 1826, he was elected a
Representative in Congress, where he remained until his resignation
in 1833. During this period he served for one year (1830-31)
as Mayor of New Haven. On retiring from Congress he was
appointed State's Attorney for New Haven County, and held that
office until 1845, when he declined further re-appointment. President
Polk, who had been intimate with Mr. Ingersoll while in
Congress, nominated him, in August, 1846, Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary of the U. S. to the Court of Russia.
The nomination, which was unanimously confirmed by the Senate,
was entirely unsolicited and unlooked for. Mr. Ingersoll accepted,
and was recalled in Sept, 1848, at his own request.
Mr. Ingersoll was severely disabled by a fall in the street, in the
early summer of 1872, and gradually lost strength until his death,
Aug. 31st, in the 84th year of his age.
His widow survives him. One of his sons graduated at this
college in 1840, and is at present the Chief Magistrate of this
State.
