Information from Julrene Thornberg (47323751) 1 June 2012.
Ernest John Hertzke was born in Germany and raised in Austria. He married Johanna Emilie Steinbert in Germany. Ernest came to New York alone and worked for the City of New York to obtain money for his wife and 2 children to join him. With his family, they moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota where Johanna had relatives. They later moved to Germania where they continued to farm. Ernest helped establish St. Paul Lutheran Church and was one of the first elders and his son, Paul, was in the first Conformation class of 1897.
After the death of his wife, Johanna, he remarried and later moved to South Dakota and raised a second family. They later moved to Colorado, where he died.
Children include Hedwig "Hattie" who married Frederick William Baum; Paul Frederick; August; Heinrick; Otto; Bertha married Henry Thaves; Emil; Albert and Adolph who married Margaret Seiboldt. There were 3 babies died in infancy.

Information from Julrene Thornberg (47323751) 1 June 2012.
Ernest John Hertzke was born in Germany and raised in Austria. He married Johanna Emilie Steinbert in Germany. Ernest came to New York alone and worked for the City of New York to obtain money for his wife and 2 children to join him. With his family, they moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota where Johanna had relatives. They later moved to Germania where they continued to farm. Ernest helped establish St. Paul Lutheran Church and was one of the first elders and his son, Paul, was in the first Conformation class of 1897.
After the death of his wife, Johanna, he remarried and later moved to South Dakota and raised a second family. They later moved to Colorado, where he died.
Children include Hedwig "Hattie" who married Frederick William Baum; Paul Frederick; August; Heinrick; Otto; Bertha married Henry Thaves; Emil; Albert and Adolph who married Margaret Seiboldt. There were 3 babies died in infancy.