Christ Ernst
For nearly a third of a century Christ Ernst has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Crawford county and has contributed much of his time and energy to the development of the farming lands in the vicinity of Schleswig.
He was born in Hanover, Germany, December 11, 1847, a son of Jurgen and Maggie (Wadamaear) Ernst, both of whom were also natives of Germany. Their family consisted of six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Christ, of this review; Peter, a resident of Schleswig; Anna, who lives in Crawford county; and Henry, of Ida county. Henry and Frederick are deceased. Both of the parents lived and died in the land of their birth.
At the age of twenty years Christ Ernst emigrated to the United States and on August 18, 1868, took up his residence in Davenport, Iowa. In 1870 he commenced running a thresher, and, renting three acres of land, turned his attention to the raising of onions, being thus engaged until 1874, when he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land in Scott county. In 1880 he came to Crawford county and purchased eighty acres. By thrift and industry, he has been enabled to gradually add to his property until his holdings now amount to eight hundred and sixty-five acres of well cultivated land, whereon he followed general farming and stock-raising. In 1907 he bought two lots in Schleswig, upon which he has erected a delightful two-story house, where he at present resides.
On January 24, 1874, Mr. Ernst was united in marriage to Doris Cortum, a daughter of Fritz and Laura (Orsbor) Cortum, she being third in order of birth in a family of six children, of whom four others survive, namely: Nancy, the wife of J. D. Schambroh, of Davenport; Otto, of Cedar county; Louise, the wife of Peter Ernst, of Schleswig; and Emma, who married William Strobrig, of Davenport. Ernst is deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ernst have been born seven children, who are named as follows: Elme, who is the wife of A. Krauk, of Lyon county, Iowa; Charles, Rudolph and Julius, who live in Crawford county; Clara and Edna, who reside at home; Adelia, who is deceased.
In his political preferment Mr. Ernst is a stalwart democrat but has never sought political favors at the hands of his party. In religion he is a faithful member of the Lutheran church. His life has been full of hard work but his purpose was a high one and he determined to gain it if courage ana unnrmg energy could win it for him. How well he has succeeded is shown by the results, as he is now able to enjoy to the full the fruits of his early endeavors.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.