Ernest Eugene Saulmon Sr (1913 – 2008)

Ernie grew up in Wadesville, Indiana. He was one of five siblings and the only son of Aurthur Leon Saulmon (1881 – 1929) and Eva Lee McDonald (1883 – 1934). Although his father died when he was just 16 and his mother died before he was in his mid-twenties, he appeared to have a happy childhood. He had good friends, played the trumpet, played baseball and in general ran freely in Wadesville. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a veterinarian. After graduating from Ohio State University, unlike his father who was a local vet, Ernie’s career took him further away and focused on animal husbandry and disease eradicaton. He began his career working for the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Husbandry in Kentucky. During the great depression it gave him security to have a government job that came with a car and gas coupons. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Teddy Saulmon. She was working in the county agent’s office in Russellville. A courtship began and they were soon married.

Ernie’s work took them to Danville, Kentucky where their first two children were born. Next he was stationed in Mexico City, Mexico. Teddy and the children soon followed and their third child was born. After a year in Mexico fighting foot and mouth decease, the family moved to El Paso, Texas for a year. Next to San Antonio, Texas for a year. Next to three different homes in Yuma, Arizonia over two years. It was during this time that Teddy’s mother came to live with them. They left Yuma in 1952 and moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They would have their fourth child in Baton Rouge and stay there until 1956 when they moved to Arlington, VA. This would be their home for the remainder of their lives.

Ernie’s career with agriculture would result in many promotions. He was active in the community, serving on the school board for four years. He was on the board of the Red Cross. He helped buy land for the Arlington Education Association to create the Outdoor Lab. He was an active member of Clarendon United Methodist Church. He was a member of the prestigious Cosmos Club. He held many leadership roles in professional organizations. Through work he traveled extensively, nationally and internationally.

A collection of Ernie’s stories		Ernie and his father	Ernie on Left
	With two of his sisters	In the middle back row	With is mother, father and three of his sisters
Ernie in the middle			Teddy, Ernie and their son on the left
With his mother and two of his sisters			Ohio State yearbook, Student Chapter of AVMA
	Ohio State 1935 yearbook Counsel of Fraternities	Ohio State yearbook – Omega Tau	Ohio State yearbook, close up, Student Chapter of AVMA
1935 Ohio State Class Photo Fourth from the left, second row up
			Dear Son
		Ernie’s Family Tree	A collection of articles by or about Ernie