Krebs, Henry

KREBS, TODT, HISE, PFAFFENBERGER, BELLER, KISTING, BOOCK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/28/2003 at 14:04:00

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.
Henry Krebs, a retired resident of Lyons and a native of Germany, was born Dec. 11, 1830, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Todt) Krebs. They were natives of Germany, Mr. Krebs, Sr., dying in his native land in 1847. His wife, accompanied by her four children, came to Buffalo, N. Y., June 14, 1852, and remained three and one-half years, and in September, 1855, came to Davenport, Iowa. They next came to Lyons in 1864, where she died May 13, 1870, at the age of seventy-six years. She was the mother of four children, two of whom survive -- Margaret, now Mrs. Henry Hise, of Davenport, and our subject. H. H. E. has not been heard from since Aug. 1, 1855. He was then in Detroit, Mich.
Henry Krebs attended school until he reached the age of fifteen. He then served an apprenticeship of three years, learning the tailor's trade, and at the age of twenty-two came to America. He worked at gardening in Buffalo for the pittance of $6 per month, and states that the whole of the family funds amounted to only $24 when they stopped at Buffalo. He next worked as a day laborer, earning seventy-five cents per day; then went on Lake Erie on a steamboat, as a roustabout, running from Buffalo to Detroit. He continued in this service three seasons, but during the last served as cook at $25 per month. In 1855 he came to Davenport, where he was fairly successful in business. In 1858 he purchased a team, which he used in general delivery until 1860. He then rented a farm which he worked for two years, after which he returned to teaming and continued for two years longer. After these movements he came to Lyons and rented for three years the City Hotel, on Pearl street. This he conducted, purchasing at the same time his present property adjoining, on the corner of Pearl and Third streets, and built upon it, making it one of the most attractive in the city. He remained in the hotel until 1885, and was most successful at the business, winning a good patronage and many friends. In 1883 he bought 640 acres of land in Nebraska. He also has a farm adjoining the city limits of Lyons, comprising 200 acres, in Spring Valley Township.
Mr. Krebs was united in marriage in 1855, to Margaret Pfaffenberger, who was born in Germany in 1832. They are the parents of five children, as follows: Anna Maria, Mrs. Kisting; John H. is married and has one child -- Mamie; William, who married Mary Beller, is living three and one-half miles east of Neligh, Antelope Co., Neb., and has two children, by name Mary and William; and lastly Dora and Mary. Mrs. Krebs died in 1869. She was an energetic and kind-hearted woman and had made many friends. Mr. K. was again married in 1872, the lady of his choice being Johanna Boock, who was born in Germany in 1849. By their union they are the parents of three children -- Louisa, Matilda and Henrietta.
Mr. Krebs is a Democrat in politics and is strong and stanch in his belief in the efficacious workings of the party. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Iron Hall and the German Dramatic Association, and is not only a working, active member of society, but is personally agreeable and worthy as a friend, and one of the prominent men of Lyons.