Joni Ernst

official photo of Joni Ernst c. 2013, Iowa General Assembly

Birth Name: Joni Kay Culver

Place of Birth: Red Oak, Iowa, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 1, 1970

Ethnicity: English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh

Joni Ernst is an American politician. A Republican, she has been a U.S. Senator from Iowa, since January 3, 2015, and Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, from January 3, 2019 to January 3, 2023, among other duties. She has served in the Iowa Army National Guard.

She is the daughter of Marilyn (Clayton) and Richard Culver. Joni has a daughter with her former husband Gail Ernst, a former Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Rangers.

Joni’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced to Bezaliel Culver, who was born, c. 1755, in Hebron, Connecticut, the son of Obadiah Culver and Elizabeth Rowley.

Joni’s paternal grandfather was Harold Shaw Culver (the son of Dallas Marion Culver and Bessie Mary Caroline Shaw). Harold was born in Iowa. Dallas was the son of James McGee Culver and Mary A. Madden. Bessie was the daughter of George E. Shaw, who was from Danville, Asbestos, Québec, Canada, and of Sarah Augusta/Agnes McGee.

Joni’s paternal grandmother was Leora Pauline Potter (the daughter of Harrison “Harry” Potter and Etna Loera Martin). Joni’s grandmother Leora was born in Iowa. Harrison was the son of Francis Marion Potter and Llewellyn/Llewellen Foote. Etna was the daughter of Ira Larmer Martin and Barbara C. Kerr.

Joni’s maternal grandfather was Carroll Leo Clayton (the son of Jonathan Jennings Clayton and Florence Jessie Campbell). Carroll was born in Iowa. Jonathan was the son of John Randolph Clayton and Mary Etta/Ettie Manley. Florence was the daughter of John R. Campbell, who was born in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, and of Mary Ellen “Etta” Osborn.

Joni’s maternal grandmother was Ruth Lorraine Copelin (the daughter of John David Copelin and Effie Mae Noble). Ruth was born in Iowa. John was the son of Joseph Melville Copelin and Laura Mary Kelly. Effie was the daughter of Samuel Dunn Noble and Mary Colorado “Collie” Anderson.

Sources: Genealogy of Joni Ernst – https://www.geni.com

Genealogies and obituaries of Joni’s paternal grandparents, Harold Shaw Culver and Leora Pauline Potter – http://www.findagrave.com