Byron Ernst (the social security administration lists his name as having been "Bryon") was a foster child who was raised by John Russell (September 9, 1882 - November 3, 1967) and his wife, Flossie Z. [Walker] (April 18, 1884 - June 11, 1968). Apparently Byron was also John's cousin. Additionally Byron grew up and married into the Walker family; in 1925 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, he married Clara Elizabeth Walker (June 10, 1903 - March 9, 1990), the daughter of Charles Francis Walker and Jessie D. Vaughn. Byron and Clara had a son, Charles Ernst, who lives in Minnesota.