In Louisville, Kentucky 1872 Otto Ernst was born and as a young man he learned the art of saddle making at the Dodgion Saddlery in Wamego, KS.  In 1900 Otto Ernst and his family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming and over the next couple of years he did some various types of work including saddle making working for George Parmeter.  By 1902 Otto Ernst partnered with John Buckley and the two men opened the Ernst – Buckley Saddlery which thrived until 1907 when the Ernst & Buckley Saddlery ended with Otto Ernst buying out John Buckley due to a disagreement between the two former partners.

  At that time Otto Ernst brought his brother John Ernst in as master saddler, and by 1921 Ernie Ernst the son of Otto Ernst had joined the Company as well.  In 1938 Otto Ernst passed away leaving the Saddlery in the capable hands of his Brother John and Son Ernie by 1954 John Ernst passed away and in 1974 Ernie Ernst passed away the doors to the Saddlery closed one year later which ended a great tradition of quality saddlery and leather work in Sheridan, Wyoming