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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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FRANK B. ERNEST. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a fine tract of land on section 13, township 4, range 4, Perry County, which in its improvements and general appearance will compare favorably with any estate in the county. It consists of one hundred and forty-seven acres, occupying a good location, and bears all the improvements which are to be found on a first-class farm.

Our subject was born in 1858, within one-half mile of where he now resides. His parents, Henry and Charlotta (Kauffmann) Ernest, were natives of Germany, the father having been born in 1819, and the mother in 1818. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Frederick and Sophia (House) Ernest, made their home in Germany. When nineteen years of age, the grandfather entered the German army, and in the battle of Waterloo received a severe wound in the leg. He was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed in his native land until 1851, when he emigrated to the United States, dying two years later in St. Louis.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ernest were united in marriage in Germany in 1845, and two years later came to America. The mother was a daughter of Ernest and Elizabeth (Tenter) Kauffmann. After landing on American soil, the parents had a few hundred dollars, and making their way to St. Louis, the father there prosecuted his trade of cabinet-making for ten years. At the expiration of that time he came to Perry County, this state, and purchased a quarter-section of land where our subject was born. When it came into his possession the land was a wild and uncultivated tract, which he immediately began improving, and he found the soil capable of yielding large crops. He was very successful in this enterprise and soon accumulated a handsome property, which consisted of three hundred and forty acres.

The parental family included three sons and four daughters, namely: Lewis H.; J. Henry; Emma, now Mrs. J. S. Maxwell; Clara, Mrs. M. G. Maxwell; Frank B., our subject; Sarah, Mrs. James Bickett; and Mary, Mrs. David Fulton. The latter died when twenty-three years of age, leaving two children. The father of these children died in 1873. While living in Germany he was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. For a few years after coming to America he voted with the Democratic party, but soon changed his views, and during the remainder of his life was a stanch Republican. Mrs. Ernest is still living and makes her home with our subject.

Our subject was given a common-school education, and when old enough to do so aided his father in caring for the family. In his political relations he is a Democrat, and in local affairs always votes for the man whom he considers will best fill the office.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Perry County, Illinois family biographies here: Perry County, Illinois Biographies

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