Ernest Louis Dolder was born Sep 29, 1897 in Sheridan, LaSalle county, Illinois, the third child and first son of Louis Emile Dolder and Anna Clara Ulrich. In 1903, he moved to Pioneer, Iowa with his parents and sisters. He was raised and educated in Pioneer.

On Nov 11, 1922, he married Irene Thompson in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and the couple established their home there. Ernest worked for the U. S. Gypsum Company in 1921 and retired on March 31, 1963. He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.

Ernest passed away Nov 17, 1974 and is buried at North Lawn Cemetery.