Ed Ernstes was born and raised in a large, Catholic family in Greensburg, Indiana. A decorated Army veteran, he had the opportunity to travel extensively while stationed abroad in the 70s. In his civilian career, Ed received degrees in radio and television from Ball State and San Diego State; he then excelled as a TV reporter in Terre Haute and South Bend while pursuing a number of acting projects in Indianapolis and Chicago. Ed has always been fascinated by the way President Lincoln came from a humble background and managed to hold the nation together through the upheaval and discord of the Civil War.