Lewis W. Ingersoll was born on 19 November 1826 in Warsaw, Genesee County, New York, son of Timothy Ingersoll and Lydia Sisson. In 1845, Lewis was living in Hudson township, Lenawee County, Michigan.

Lewis was married in 1856 to Sarah Jane Middlebrook. Sarah was born on 28 April 1839 in Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, daughter of Hubbell Middlebrook and Julia Platt.

On 18 June 1860, the couple and their children William and Lydia lived in Sharon, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Lewis worked as a farmer. The family owned $200 in personal possessions.

Lewis was living at Dep River, Michigan when he enlisted as a Private in Sharon in Company D of the 11th Michigan Cavalry on 14 February 1865. He was mustered out on 16 September 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.

On 29 June 1870, the couple and five children- William, Lydia, Frank, Edward, and Clotelle lived in Sharon. Lewis worked as a farm laborer while Sarah was keeping house. The two oldest children were attending school.

In June 1880, Louis and Sarah lived in Sharon township with seven children- Frank, Edward, Clotill, Clarence, Emmet, Betty, and Mary. Louis and the two oldest sons worked as farm laborers while Sarah was keeping house.

Louis applied for a Civil War invalid's pension on 20 June 1889.

In 1890, Lewis lived in Deep River, Arenac County. He reported that he suffered from diarrhea as a result of his Civil War service.

In June 1900, the couple lived in Deep River with their son Edward. Lewis was a pensioner, while son Edward worked as a farmer.

In April 1910, the couple lived on Sterling road in Deep River, Arenac County. Lewis was working as a farmer. Their daughter Mary (Ingersoll)Kimball and her family lived with them.

Lewis died from senile debility and inanition on 6 March 1911 in Deep River, Arenac County, Michigan. Sarah died on 21 March 1911.

Lewis and Sarah were buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Lewis and Sarah (Middlebrook) Ingersoll were the parents of 11 children (one died before 1900):

i. WILLIAM INGERSOLL was born on 10 September 1857 in Washtenaw County.
ii. LYDIA JANE INGERSOLL was born in October 1860 in Sharon, Washtenaw County.
iii. EDWARD BANKS INGERSOLL was born in 1862 in Manchester, Washtenaw County.
iv. FRANK INGERSOLL was born on 3 May 1863 in Manchester, Washtenaw County.
v. EDWARD INGERSOLL was born in September 1864 in Michigan.
vi. FRANCES CLOTELL INGERSOLL was born in 2 July 1868 in Manchester, Washtenaw County.
vii. CLARENCE INGERSOLL was born circa 1871 in Michigan.
viii. EMMET INGERSOLL was born on 19 May 1874 in Manchester, Washtenaw County.
ix. BESSIE/BETTY INGERSOLL was born on 24 April 1875 in Sharon, Washtenaw County.
x. MARY INGERSOLL was born circa 1878 in Sharon, Washtenaw County.
xi. HATTIE INGERSOLL was born in 1881 in Sharon, Washtenaw County.