Ernest Kolb was born on a farm in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, Feb. 25, 1861, son of Carl and Henrietta (Emig) Kolb, natives of Germany, who came to America as children, were reared in Manitowoc County, spent their lives there, and there died. They were the parents of a large family of fifteen children: Oscar, a lumber estimator, now retired and living in Manitowoc County; Ernest, the subject of this sketch; Louis, a farmer in Clark County, this state; Reinholt, a farmer in Manitowoc County; Emma, wife of Jacob Hetzel, who works the home farm; Matilda, wife of Powell Jost, a carpenter of Manitowoc County; Henry, deceased; William, of Manitowoc County; Fred, a blacksmith, of Manitowoc County; Charles, a policeman, in Sheboygan, this state; Amelia, wife of Leo Klessig, a cheese man, of Manitowoc County, now retired; Herman, a butcher, of Sheboygan Falls, this state; Bertha, wife of Herman Vogel, a carpenter and lumberman, of Manitowoc County; Louisa, wife of Gustav Kellmer, a farmer of Manitowoc County, and Clements, a blacksmith, of Sheboygan, this state. Ernest Kolb received a good common school education, and began working as a farm helper near his home when he was fifteen years of age. He came to Barron County in 1882 and purchased a farm of 120 acres in Section 6, Barron Township. This land had been but little improved. Three years later he brought his wife here. Together they started to establish for themselves a home and a farm, and their efforts have been crowned with success. To the original tract 40 acres have been added, so that they now have a good farm of 160 acres, of which 115 are under the plow. They now have a good frame house, a commodious substantial barn, a granary, tool sheds and the like, all in the best of condition. The soil is of the best, and is well cultivated, and the stock includes a good herd of high grade Guernsey cattle and a drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. The equipment and machinery is adequate, and everything about the place bespeaks the thrift and good taste of the owners. Mr. Kolb has served his township as supervisor and has been a valuable member of the school board of this district. He and his family worship at the Evangelical Church. Mr. Kolb was married April 29, 1885, to Lena A. Kretschmar, daughter of Ernest and Wilhelmina (Hinkelman) Kretschmar, who was born Nov. 24, 1861, and brought to a farm in Sheboygan County, this state, in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Kolb are the parents of eleven children: Carl F., Erna A., Oscar E., Henrietta A., Ernest W., Reinholt C., Ella, Evelyn H., Gustav J., William F. and Maria H. Carl F. was born Nov 6, 1885, and is a farmer in Barron Township. Erna A. was born July 3, 1887, and lives at home. Oscar E. was born Aug. 24, 1888, was married June 28, 1916, to Ethel Kelley, of Maple Grove Township, and has one child, Barbara, born Aug. 30, 1918. He was inducted into the United States service Oct. 4, 1917, trained at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., was made a sergeant in the 341st Infantry, 86th Division; reached France Aug. 18, 1918, and was discharged at Camp Grant in June, 1919. Henrietta A. was born Sept. 22, 1889, and is the wife of Fred Wagenbach, a farmer, of Barron Township. Ernest W. was born Feb. 26, 1891, and is a farmer in Stanfold Township, this county. Reinholt C. was born Jan. 12, 1893, and is with his father on the home farm. He was inducted into the service Sept. 19, 1917, trained with the 362d Infantry at Camp Lewis, American Lake, Wash.; was transferred to the Spruce Division; was discharged at Vancouver Barracks Dec. 31, 1918, and returned home in June, 1919. Ella was born July 30, 1894, and is the wife of George Tabor, a machinist, of Superior, Wis. Evelyn H. was born Dec. 30, 1896, and is the wife of Clyde McKee, a farmer of Arland Township, Barron County. Gustav J. was born March 28, 1899, and is now in South Dakota. William F. was born Dec. 3, 1900, and is on the home farm. Maria H. was born Sept. 28, 1902, and is at home. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Association.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., 1922, pp. 120-121.