Civil War Union Army Officer. Born in Barden, Germany, he relocated to America in 1841 and found employment in the hardware business at Rochester, New York. By 1856, he was head of the Ernst and Siefried Hardware Dealers. With the out break of the Civil War, he helped organize the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. Leading a regiment, he was in actions at Fredericksburg and Chancelloville. During the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863, when his commanding officer Colonel Patrick O'Rorke was killed at Little Round Top, Lieutenant Colonel Ernst took command of the regiment and led them to victory. After the war, he resumed his hardware business and was director of the German American Savings Bank. He died at age 66 in Rochester, New York.
Civil War Union Army Officer. Born in Barden, Germany, he relocated to America in 1841 and found employment in the hardware business at Rochester, New York. By 1856, he was head of the Ernst and Siefried Hardware Dealers. With the out break of the Civil War, he helped organize the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. Leading a regiment, he was in actions at Fredericksburg and Chancelloville. During the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863, when his commanding officer Colonel Patrick O'Rorke was killed at Little Round Top, Lieutenant Colonel Ernst took command of the regiment and led them to victory. After the war, he resumed his hardware business and was director of the German American Savings Bank. He died at age 66 in Rochester, New York.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
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Barbara Hettinger Ernst
1826–1913 (m. 1848)
Flowers
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