Born:              April 7, 1887, Germany
Height:            5’8-5’9’’
Weight:           175-185
Real Name:     Ad (Adolph) E. Santel Sr. (Legally changed from Adolph Ernst)
Hometown:      Oakland, California/ Alameda, California
Married to:      Laura Santel
Family:            Father of Ad Santel Jr.
Pro Debut:      1907
Identities:        Adolph Ernst, Mysterious Carpenter, Otto Carpenter
Managed by:  Henry Webber (1910s), Ed Hanzel (1920s)
Retired:      1933
Promoted:  Oakland, California (1931-’60s), Richmond, California (1950s)
Trained:     George Hackenschmidt, Lou Thesz, Earl O’Neill
Died:          November 10, 1966, Alameda, California        79 years old



The "Lincoln Evening News" (1/9/1912) stated that Adolph Ernst was "easily one of the most
skillful wrestlers in America." Several days before, he beat Jim Asbell when the latter was
unable to continue, in Kansas City, and Asbell was known as one of Frank Gotch's training
partners.  The paper noted that Ernst "worked before three Lincoln audiences last year and
displayed a greater variety of locks and holds than any wrestler in the game." Ernst toured with
a vaudeville group, "but found that vocation too dull." His victory over Asbell put him "in line for
the light heavyweight championship of America." Ernst was said to be a "Dutchman" from
Chicago, even though he was German.

In April 1912, Ernst was still based out of Kansas City and was looking for a match with George
Gion of Aurora, Nebraska.

Wichita Falls, Texas:  January 25, 1913
(Eagles’ Hall) … Adolph Ernst b. Professor Ben Parrish (Ernst scored four-falls within 60:00)

*According to the January 27, 1913 edition of the Wichita Daily Times (Wichita Falls, TX),
Adolph Ernst based his claim to the World Light Heavyweight championship “upon the defeat he
administered to Dmitral at Woodward, Oklahoma, on January 14.  He secured the first fall in
twelve minutes and the second in two minutes and ten seconds.  He is now seeking a match
with Fred Bell, the only wrestler who ever defeated Frank Gotch, world’s champion.  Ernst is 26
years old, a native of Germany; he weighs 175 pounds and would be a straight heavyweight if
he were five pounds heavier.”

Wichita Falls, Texas:  January 28, 1913
(Eagles’ Hall) … Adolph Ernst b. Kona Kavaris (2-0) (Ernst won the first fall and then the
second when Kavaris forfieted) (54:00)
Notes:  Ernst was billed as the light heavyweight champion.  Ernst reportedly went to Austin.

Wichita Falls, Texas:  November 14, 1913
(Moose Hall) … Adolph Ernst vs. Charles Rentrop
Notes:  Ernst failed to appear, disappointing a large crowd.  The match was postponed.

Wichita Falls, Texas:  November 17, 1913
(Moose Hall) … Adolph Ernst b. Charles Rentrop in a match billed as being to “settle the light
heavyweight championship” (2-0) … (300 fans)

On Friday, January 9, 1914, the Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) reported on a story
from Texas, first saying that Ernst was "perhaps the best grappler of his weight in the world."
The story from the paper said that he'd "risked his life in the recent flood water to save a boy,
the son of Frank Simclk (Simelk)." The wrestler apparently had gone to the San Gabriel River to
see the "rampage," where he learned that Frank Jr. had gone into the icy water.  Ernst quickly
went into the river and "it looked like certain death to brave that stream.  But the wrestler did it.  
He was gone two hours." Ernst returned at night, and told the father that his son was safe at a
neighbor's house.  He refused the $200 reward and denied he was a hero, humbly saying that
he was "only a wrestler." Friends were working to get him a Carnegie medal.

On Friday, January 22, 1915 in Fremont, Nebraska, Adolph Ernst beat Alexander Sandow in
two-straight falls.  "This match was one of the fastest and most sensational matches seen in this
city since the revival of the game." Ernst was expected to train with Owen Daily in Lincoln.

The Lincoln Daily Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) on December 3, 1915 had a quote from Earl
Caddock, saying:  "The one match which I wish for most of all is a contest with Adolph Ernst.  
Ernst, you know, is rated as the greatest light heavyweight in the world.  If I can beat him, and I
believe I can do that very thing, these fellows who say they have never heard of me would be
forced to admit that I have something." He claimed Ernest refused to wrestle him.

In March 1916, Frank Gotch called off a slated match in San Francisco against Ad Santel.  He
said that a Santel bout may happen, but the one scheduled was off.



Research by Tim Hornbaker
Ad Santel Wrestling History
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