George K. Ernst

As printed in 1908

GEORGE K. ERNST, trustee of Moorefield Township, is a leading citizen and resides on his valuable farm of forty-five acres, on which he was born, October 3, 1865, and is a son of Noah and Mary (Maxwell) Ernst.

Noah Ei-nst, father of George K., was born in Virginia and was a son of Jacob Ernst, who came to Moorefield Township, Clark County, Ohio, when the former was two years old. Noah Ernst was married twice, first to a Miss McKinnon, who left two children, namely: Martin Luther, who is deceased; and Mrs. Emily J. Kiplinger. The second marriage was to Mary Maxwell, and the following children were born: Jacob, who is deceased; Mrs. Frances Ellen Maxwell; Mrs. Sarah Hyle; John L.; George K., and Noah F.

George K. Ernst was reared in Moorefield Township and after completing his early education in the coimtry schools, he entered Wittenberg College, where he remained one year and then spent one year at Antioch College. When he returned home he engaged in farming, and this has been his main occupation ever since. It is one to which many intelligent, educated men have devoted their attention, and the time has come when agriculture is numbered with the in'ofessions.

Mr. Ernst married Elizabeth W. Wilson, who is a daughter of Justus S. and Louisa (Bains) Wilson. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Ernst, Horatio Bains, was born in Berkley County, Virginia, and in boyhood accompanied his parents to Warren County, Ohio. He was born in 1791, and came to Clark County in 1811, settling in Moorefield Township. There he married Mary Miller, a daughter of Rev. Ralph Miller, who came to Clark County from Kentucky, and in addition to becoming a large landowner, was a pioneer preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Bains lived in Moorefield Township, where Mrs. Wilson was born. Justus S. Wilson was born in Champaign County, Ohio, and was a son of Reason Z. Wilson, of Virginia. Justus S. Wilson spent the greater part of his life in Champaign County, lang there and moving to Moorefield Township in 1878, where he died eleven years later. He was a Knight Templar Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had five children. She survived her husband and was a beloved member of the household of Mr. and Mrs. Ernst at the time of her death, March, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Ernst have three children: Jennie Irene, who is a student in the Springfield High School; John Wilson, and Sarah Frances.

Mr. Ernst is serving in his second term as township trustee, having been elected on the Democratic ticket in a township which general!y goes Republican. He has also served three terms as township assessor. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.