John Friedrich Ernst, Jr.

John Friedrich Ernst, Jr., a native of Oldenburg, Germany, was born in 1820 and emigrated to the United States with his family at age nine. In 1831 they traveled from New York City to Texas, eventually arriving in what is now the town of Industry, where the Ernsts became one of the first families to settle in an area that later became a center of German culture in Texas. His life stretched from the period of Mexican occupation in Texas to the Civil War. In 1836, as Santa Anna's army began its march across Texas, his family fled their home with others during the Runaway Scrape. Shortly after the Texian victory at San Jacinto, Ernst joined the Texas Rangers and received land in Comal County for his service. During the years of the Republic he also took part in other local militia organizations and served as a Justice of the Peace in Round Top, 15 miles northwest. He married Maria Ann (Krumm) Brey in 1845. In 1861 he joined the Confederate Light Artillery company recruited from Fayette County for Civil War service, and he died in Waco in 1863 after serving twice as the company's commanding officer.

Industry, Texas · United States