He is best known as the father of Laura Secord, who warned the British of an impending American attack on Upper Canada during the War of 1812.

He was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, later moving to Great Barrington where, aside from his trade as a hatter, he also served as constable and tax collector.

Ingersoll emigrated to Upper Canada after hearing about the availability of land there for new settlers.

In 1793, he obtained a land grant of 66,000 acres (267 km2) in Oxford County from Governor John Graves Simcoe.

By November 1795, Ingersoll had once again uprooted, moving to Queenston, Upper Canada and operating one of the earliest taverns before putting it up for sale in 1801.