My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ERNST, a native of Bucks County, Penn., was born December 9, 1813, and is a son of John C. and Amelia (Steinman) Ernst, natives, respectively, of Albany N. Y., and Lancaster, Penn,, and of German origin. William Ernst lived for five years with his parents on a farm in Lancaster County, and at the age of sixteen became a clerk in the mercantile business at Pottsville, Penn. Four years later he went to Lexington, Ky., where for one year he engaged in the same business, and in 1836, was employed by the Northern Bank of Kentucky, in Lexington, as a clerk, having, for the previous year, been engaged as clerk in the United States Branch Bank of New Orleans. He removed to Covington, Ky., in 1838, under an appointment as teller in the Covington Branch, of the Northern Bank of Kentucky, which office he held until 1849, when he became its cashier, and in 1867 its president, in which capacity he still serves. The present capital of the branch bank is $650,000, and the capital of the whole institution is $1,813,900. John P. Ernst, son of our subject, is the present cashier of the branch in Covington, Ky. In 1839 Mr. Ernst married Miss Lydia A. Bush, of Covington, daughter of P. S. Bush, who was first cashier of the bank, now deceased. Mr. Ernst’s wife, Lydia, died in 1841, leaving one child, who is now Mrs. Amelia Semple, of Covington. In 1843 Mr. Ernst married Sarah A. Butler, of Lexington, who has borne him nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Catherine B., John P., Sarah E., James C., Richard P., Edward H. and Alexander B. Mr. Ernst has served two terms as president of the city council. He is also president of the Covington & Lexington Turnpike Company, and for many years was director and treasurer of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and part of the time its president. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of which church he was one of the organizers in 1841. He has been successful in business, and is highly esteemed by the people of Covington.