Robert Ingersoll and grandchildren

On this date, the day before Valentine's Day in 1862, Robert Green Ingersoll and Eva Parker were married. Robert Ingersoll, a Civil War officer, attorney and spell-binding orator, became the leading advocate of freethought in 19th century America. The son of a minister credited his freethinking wife with his rejection of religion. Eva was the granddaughter of Sarah Buckman Parker, a noted infidel, and the daughter of firm rationalists. In dedicating his first book, Some Mistakes of Moses, to her, Ingersoll called Eva "A Woman Without Superstition."

Ingersoll was famously devoted to his family. Rumor by critical religionists had it that Ingersoll's son was a drunkard who frequently had to be carried away from the table. Ingersoll's famous response was: "It is not true that intoxicating beverages are served at my table. It is not true that my son ever was drunk. It is not true that he had to be carried away from the table. Besides, I have no son!" The loving extended family household included daughters Maud and Eva, Eva's husband, Ingersoll's mother-in-law, his wife's sister and husband, and their child.