Born at Great Spring, near New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He became manager of a paper mill near Bloomfield, New Jersey. Married Rebecca Dodd in 1800. They had five children. He built another paper mill at New Hope in 1800.

Elected to state house of representatives and served 1806 to 1808. Elected to Congress in 1813 and served until July 6, 1818. He resigned because of the health of his wife who died in 1819. He married Deborah Kay Hall in 1822. They had three children.

Ingham was elected to Congress again in 1822. He resigned March 4, 1829. Appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Jackson and served March 6, 1829, to June 20, 1831.

After leaving public office he developed anthracite coal fields in Pennsylvania. He helped to found the Beaver Meadow Railroad Company and the Hazelton Coal Company. He died in Trenton.

bio: ApCAB; BDC; BDEB; DAB; Drake; NCAB 5; TCBDA; WWWA-H