This book is my attempt to compile as much as I can into a family history story for his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone else who chances to read this. To describe Ernest in one word, it could only be "earnest." He was a serious, determined, intense, committed, sincere, devout, sober, diligent, heartfelt man--all synonyms to the word "earnest." He was all of those and a little more. One time, Floyd said to me that he didn't know what happened to Ernest to make him like he was. So, Floyd, these many years later, I think the answer may be that Ernest just earnestly lived up to his name. He was a good man.