My Genealogy Hound

FRANK ANTON ERNY, dealer in feed, Pittsburgh, Pa., was born within seven miles of Strassburg, Germany, in 1837, a son of Michael and Katharine (Kertzinger) Erny. His grandfather was a magistrate of the province, and lost a large property during the aggressive campaigns of Napoleon I, afterward partially recovering his fortune by the manufacture of charcoal. Michael Erny was a locksmith, and came to Pittsburgh about 1840, found employment in an Allegheny machine shop, where he continued till his death, in 1874, being then in his eighty-eighth year; Katharine, his second wife, died seven months previously, at the age of seventy. Frank A., her only son, was reared in Allegheny, and when twelve years old began work in the South Side Coal-mines, operated by his half-brother. At the end of twelve years, he acquired an interest in the mines, which he held for many years. He has been long established in the feed business at his present location on Carson street, and is also partner in a livery and undertaking business nearby. July 8, 1858, he married Elizabeth Heisel, and has ten children: Joseph F. (see his sketch), Frank P., associated with his father in business; Margaret, Mrs. Frank Kleeber; Katharine, Mary, Stella, Xavier, Philip, Stella and Michael. The family is associated with St. Michael’s R. C. Church.