His father was David Ingersoll, and his mother was Sarah Parsons, a granddaughter of theologian Jonathan Edwards.
He left this charge in November, 1835, to accept a call to Oberlin College, where he spent nearly five years, in part engaged as professor of sacred music.
In 1840 he removed to Michigan, with the purpose of founding there an institution similar to Oberlin; but the effects of the financial crisis of 1837 prevented the realization of his plan, and after thirteen years spent in home missionary work (chiefly at his own expense) in Michigan, he became pastor in May, 1853, of the Congregational Church in Bloomington, Illinois.
He then returned to Kansas, to be near his children, and settled in Rosevale, now Springfield, Clay County, where he died March 29, 1887, in his 83rd year.
He married April 29, 1835, Louisa, elder daughter of Frederick Perry, of Stockbridge, Mass., who died August 29, 1836, leaving an infant son.