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FREDERICK L. ERNST

When passing through a neighborhood whose outward appearance indicate particular thrift, one is tempted to ask if it be not a German community, for no other people are more thrifty, more careful managers, not put all their affairs on a more solid foundation, in farming as well as other business, than do Americans of German descent. Here is a man who is a type of such a class. Frederick L. Ernst was born in Laks county, Ohio, July 26, 1854. His father, Freidrich D. Ernst, was born in Wittenbar, Germany, March 21, 1833, and came to this country as an infant the same year. Fred Ernst, his father, looked first in Ohio, then moved to Iowa. Freidrich D. was married in Lake county, Ohio, October 13, 1853, to Lozetta Klingman, born in Baden, Germany, August 14, 1833, who had come to America with her parents in 1850. Her parents died in Ohio. In 1857 Freidrich came to Highland township, Clayton county, Iowa, took up wild land and improved it. Afterwards he moved to Elgin, and then to Elkader, where he died May 1, 1908. His wife died at Elgin, March 20, 1906. He was a farmer, a member of the Universalist church, and a strong Republican.

No man in the county had a better reputation for honesty and uprightness in all his dealings. Freidrich and Lozetta Ernst were the parents of eight children; Frederick L., the subject of this sketch; Louisa R., born May 17, 1856, married C. M. Fritz, died in 1883; Lozetta A., born October 14, 1858, married Fred Reicher, died October 9, 1888; Albert E., born July 22, 1860, died March 28, 1863; Ella, born February 25, 1862, married Albert Rawson, and died in March, 1900; Mary, born October 20, 1872, died October 1875; Annie V., born June 2, 1869, married John Layton, of Elkader; Cora May, born April 28, 1876, married Burt Doty, died May 22, 1898. Frederick L. Ernst had only a common education. He lived with his father until December 6, 1882, when he married Elizabeth J. Peters, of Pleasant Valley township, daughter of Alex W. Peters, formerly of Virginia, and Margaret Jane Mattox, formerly of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Peters now live on his farm in Illyria township and are the parents of seven children: Elizabeth J., wife of the subject of this sketch; Robert, of Clayton county; Mary H., living at home; Margaret R., of Oklahoma; Malvina A. married M. L. Klingman, of Wadena; William, a farmer near Volga City; Wallace, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Ernst have two sons, Walter W., born September 30, 1883, and Robert H., born April 7, 1887. These sons are farming on the old home place. After marriage Mr. Ernst lived in Illyria township for four years, then in 1886 purchased the farm on one hundred and ninety-six acres on which he has since resided. One hundred acres of this are in a high state of cultivation.

He has devoted his time mostly to general farming, raising corn, oats, hay, and barley, but has made something of a specialty of graded stock, of Poland-China hogs and Norman horses. All of the improvements on his farm have been made since his occupation, and most of the buildings have been built by his own hands. He is a Republican. Mrs. Ernst is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Ernst’s success has been largely due to his hard work, but he has been exceptionally fortunate in his splendid helpmate who has been a good manager and the kindest of mothers. He has many firm friends in the county. .

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Mary Aldrich