Ira Rouse was born about 1836 in Putnam County, Indiana, to Phillip Rouse and Freelove Cole, both natives of Washington County, Virginia. On Ira's paternal side, he was a fifth generation American. His great-great grandfather, Johannes Roush (1711-1786), settled in Shenandoah County, Virginia and his great grandfather, Palser (Balser) Rouse Sr., established the family in Washington County, Virginia. Also, Ira was a descendant of Stephen Hopkins, a Mayflower Pilgrim.

When Ira was five years old his parents and siblings moved from Putnam County, Indiana to Gentry County, Missouri. At age 20, Ira married to Clarissa Birchfield on 30 October 1856 in Carroll County, Missouri. They had one daughter Emmaline Rouse, who was born in 1858. Ira's wife, Clarissa, died on 21 December 1858 within one month after giving birth to her daughter.

During the Civil War, Ira enrolled on 22 March 1862 as a Private in the Union army in Company "E," 1st Regiment of the Missouri State Militia Cavalry and served until he was honorably discharged on 23 April 1864. His good friend, William Bishop Higdon, who was in the same regiment as Ira, was killed in action. Stories passed down through the family have stated that Ira delivered the message to William's widow, Nancy Ann Burks Higdon. Nancy shortly thereafter became Ira's wife; he married her on 2 April 1865 in Andrew County, Missouri.

In about 1869 the couple and Nancy's parents, Henry Burks and Sarah Cooper, moved to Bates County, Missouri. Ira and Nancy purchased property near Rockville and sold it in April of 1874 prior to leaving for California. Four children were born to Ira and Nancy in Missouri – Elizabeth Sarah Rouse, Delcena Cegal Rouse and two other daughters, one of whom was probably named Louella Rouse. While in Bates County Ira lived very close to his fist daughter, Emmaline, who was adopted by another couple.

At the end of September 1874 the Rouse family journeyed by train to California aboard the transcontinental railroad (UPRR and CPRR). We believe they may have been headed to Bishop, Inyo County, California where Ira's sister, Martha Jane Rouse Hall, resided. Two infant daughters of Ira and Nancy Rouse died during the journey (Source: Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel - Oct. 24, 1874). One of the daughters, Louella, we believe is buried in the Coulterville Cemetery in Mariposa County, California since a small headstone was placed there with the name "Louella Rouse." The family eventually settled in the Granite Springs area, near Whiskey Flat, and by 1877 Ira and Nancy had staked a claim for homestead property. The property was about 9 miles west of the town of Coulterville. While residing in Granite Springs, Ira and Nancy had six more children – Mary Louella Rouse, Maggie Josephine Rouse, Charles Emmit Rouse, Cyrus Henry Rouse, Perry Rouse and Martha Irene Rouse. Tragedy struck the family when Perry Rouse's clothes caught fire and he died shortly after. Family tradition has stated that this occurred when he was playing with a string next to a campfire. This happened in the 1880's when Perry was very young.

During Ira's service in the Civil War we believe he took several hard blows to his head, possibly falling from his horse, resulting in concussions. He was honorably discharged from service because of these injuries. Throughout his life he suffered from bouts of depression, which may be similar to present-day posttraumatic distress syndrome . At age 50 years he took his own life on February 4, 1886 at Granite Springs. He is buried next to his daughter, Lizzie Haskell, in the Sturdevant Ranch Cemetery, near Granite Springs.