Krebs, Joseph 1832-1925 & Margaret Fuchs Family

KREBS, FUCHS, GERST, KRAUS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/25/2022 at 14:58:07

Krebs, Joseph 1832-1925 & Margaret Fuchs Family

This BIOS for the Joseph Krebs family was compiled by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Their family information and stories of the life and times of those pioneers can be read about in several Sioux County Books. “The Story of Sioux County” by Charles Dyk give a very colorful account of pioneer life with it joys and hardships. The book “Siouxland A History of Sioux County” by Nelson Nieuwenhuis give a great historical account of the area. The “1908 Sioux County Atlas” also has historical accounts of the various townships of Sioux County.

From the St. Mary’s Catholic Church book:
Joseph Krebs Family – Joseph Krebs was born in Goldbach, Bavaria on November 30, 1832. He married Margaret Fuchs in Bavaria in 1863. She was born July 25, 1843.
In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Krebs came to America. They settled at Davenport where Mr. Krebs found employment They stayed four years, coming to Sioux county in April of 1871, homesteading northeast of Alton. In 1890 they retired to Alton
In 1923 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Inserted here From the Alton Democrat of Saturday Sept 29, 1923
PIONEERS WED 60 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krebs have 60th wedding anniversary – County Pioneers
On Tuesday, Sept 18th Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krebs celebrated the 60th anniversary of their marriage with a family reunion during the day and with festivities in the evening to which about 35 friends and neighbors were invited. All the children but one were guests of the venerable old couple for dinner and supper. They presented their parents with a mantle clock, while the friends brought gifts of a library table, cut glass and man other tokens of esteem.
Mr. Krebs 91 years of age and Mrs. Krebs, 80 years of age, both heartily enjoyed the memorable event. Although confined to an invalid chair since the accident 11 years ago in which his hip was broken, Mr. Krebs retain all his faculties and is mentally as keen as ever, while Mrs. Krebs is well and active as in her younger days.
Mr. and Mrs. Krebs were married in Bavaria, Germany, 60 years ago. Three years after their marriage they came to the United States, settling at Davenport where they lived four years. They cam to Sioux county 53 years ago, living on a farm 5 ½ miles from Alton for 23 years. They have made Their home in town for 30 years.
Their children number seven and all were with heir families except Jacob Krebs of Council Bluffs who was not able to be present. The others are Lena, now Mrs. John Tremmel of Ashton, Catherine, now Mrs. Wm. Barron; Margaret , Mrs. Bernard Meyer of Andover SD; Anna Mrs. Geo Thorman of Granville; Louis Krebs of Kennebec SD; and Cella at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Krebs have 38 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
(The article went on to list other guests present for the occasion.)

From a family report on ancestry.com (done by other than submitter of this BIOS)
Joseph F. Krebs born 30 Nov 1832 Goldbach,Bayen, Bavaria (Germany) died 11 Apr 1925 Alton Sioux Iowa. His parents were Peter Nikolaus Krebs 1784-1852 and Eva Katharina Gerst 1790-1866. He married Margaritha Fuchs (Fox) 23 Sep 1863 Katholisch, Boetzingen, Freiburg, Baden, Germany.

Margaritha Fuchs Fox born Jul 1843 Bavaria Bayen, Germany died 5 may 1937 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. Her parents were Martin Fuchs Fox 1804-1896 and Magdalena Kraus 1807-1872

From the book Story of Sioux County by Charles Dyke page 149 The Second Church -
The second religious organization in Sioux County was the Catholic church in Hospers named St. Anthony’s church. It was organized in the years 1872 by the families of Remacle, Selig, Haag, Theis, Krebs, Krausert, Hentjes, Blau, Langenhorst and others whose names we cannot now recall. Mass was celebrated in a school house or in private homes for a year but the congregation built a little church a few years after. It was the second church erected in the county.
One evening in the course of erection, father who was outside, called to us, ‘Een Verschensel” (an apparition). We all rushed out of the house to learn what there was to see. As father was pointing to the northeast we saw a church outlined in fire where the Catholic church in Hospers still stands. We all gazed at the spectacle in fear and wonder not know that to make of it.
It was the moon coming up behind the building which had been raised during the day. It was a strange sight as even the window were outlined in fire. The following evening the moon had shifted position and it did not happen again.

From the St. Mary’s church book and the above mentioned family report the children of Joseph and Margaret Krebs were:

Child born to Joseph Krebs and Elizabeth Bridenbend, first wife of Joseph:
1. Jacob Krebs born 13 Aug 1862 Kleinkahl Bayden, Bavaria Germany died 12 Sep 1935 Council Bluffs Iowa. He married Katharina ‘Kate’ Gaspers 1867-1916. Four children listed.
Children born to Joseph Krebs and Margaret Fuchs:
2. Helena ‘Lena’ Magdalena Krebs born 20 Mar 1866 Bavaria, Bayden, Germany died 13 Jan 1949 Ashton Osceola Co. IA. She married John Tremmel 1866-1934 . They were the parents of eleven cchildren.
3. George Krebs born Sep 1869 in Iowa died abt May 1, 1879 Floyd Township Sioux Co.
son of J. Krebs of Floyd Tsp. Reported by the Sioux county Independent of May 3, 1879, A child of J. Krebs of Floyd tsp died of Diphtheria last Saturday. No physician was called.
4. Catherine Thekla Krebs born Aug 1871 Floyd Tsp Sioux county IA died 1966 Lyon County IA.
She married William Barron 1860-1942 and they were the parents of six children.
5. Josephine Krebs born 1877 died 27 Jan 1882 Sioux county IA. In the 1880 census of Floyd Tsp she is listed 3 years of age. Sioux county death records lists Josephine 5 yrs of age died Jan 27, 1882
6. Margaereth Krebs born 18 Apr 1878 Alton IA died 10 Sep 1964 at Webster, SD. She married Barnard Meyer 1878-1957. Seven children listed.
7. Nicholas Krebs born Dec 1879 Floyd Tsp Sioux County IA died 26 Jan 1882 at Floyd Tsp Sioux county IA. Source Sioux County death records.
8. Anna Elizabeth Krebs born 9 Feb 1882 Alton IA died 21 Jan 1952 Granville, IA. She married George Peter Thorman 1877-1935. Five children listed.
9. Infant Krebs – Child of J. Krebs died about May 1, 1879 in East Orange
10. Lewis Francis Krebs born 8 Aug 1883 Alton IA died 3 Oct 1940 Rapid city, SD He married Abbelonia Ann Heying 1890-1981. Eleven children listed.
11. Cecelia Mary Krebs born 23 Nov 1884 Alton IA died 31 Aug 1950 Omaha NE.
12. Elizabeth Katherine Krebs born 1886 Alton IA died 1892 buried St. Mary’s cemetery Alton IA.
Reportedly 14 children were born to Joseph Krebs but no further information found.

OBITUARY of Joseph Krebs 1832-1925

Source: Alton Democrat (4-17-1925) Born: November, 1832 Died: 1925
EARLY PIONEER OF SIOUX COUNTY DIES AT ALTON AT GREAT AGE OF 92 YEARS
Joseph Krebs, one of the very oldest in years of the very early settlers of Sioux County, died at his home in Alton last Saturday morning at three o’clock at the age of 92 years. If he had lived but one more week he would have seen the 54th anniversary of his advent in this county as he arrived here on April 28, 1871.
The pioneer was born in Goldbach, Bavarianin, in the year 1832. When 20 years of age he wedded Miss Elizabeth Bridenbend to which union one son was born, Jacob, the mother passing to eternity. The following year Mr. Krebs married Miss Margaret Fuchs in 1863 and to them 14 children were born--only six of whom, however, survive their father.
n 1867 they decided to come to America, times in the old country being very unsettled and war-like. They settled at Davenport where Mr. Krebs found employment in a brewery for which Davenport was even then famous and they remained there four years, coming in April 1871 to Sioux County, homesteading a farm five miles northeast of Alton. In 1890 they retired, moving to Alton 13 years ago. Mr. Krebs slipped on some ice and broke his hip and ever since was unable to walk. In spite of his injury he was able to enjoy life and visit with his many friends, receiving the best of care from Mrs. Krebs and the one daughter at home, Miss Cecelia.
The children are all fine, prosperous folks and who have high standing in their respective communities. In the order of their ages they are: Mrs. John Tremmel, Ashton; Mrs. Catherine T. Barron, Alvord; Mrs. Margaret Meyer Andover, South Dakota; Mrs. Anna E. Thorman, Granville; Lew F. Krebs of Kennebec, South Dakota and Miss Cecelia, at home. All were present at the funeral. There are 38 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held from St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Alton on Tuesday morning at 9 A.M. beginning with a procession to the church from the home and were conducted by Very Reverend F.J. Brune. Six grandsons were pallbearers: Anton and Carl Tremmel of Ashton, Hilbert Meyer of Andover, South Dakota; Will Barron of Alvord; Max Thorman of Granville.
The Alton Democrat joins in extending sympathy to the widow and children in the loss of their sterling pioneer husband and father--a man whose word was as good as his bond, devoted member of his church, a kind parent and one respected by all who knew him.

 
OBITUARY of Margaret Krebs 1843-1937
Source: Sioux County Capital (1-14-1934) Born: July1843 Died: January 5, 1937
DEATH OF PIONEER CITIZEN OF ALTON
Mrs. Margaret (Fuchs) Krebs died at Ashton January 5th. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krebs were early settlers here living east of Alton on a farm until some years ago they moved to town. Mr. Krebs preceded her in death twelve years ago. Mrs. Krebs was 93 years of age and on account of her age has been making her home with a daughter at Ashton.
Margaret was born in Germany in 1843 where she married Joseph. They arrived in the United States on May 27, 1867. They eventually settled in Alton, Iowa, where they went on to have 10 children, 4 of whom did not survive. The surviving children were: Cecelia, Kate, Lena, Anna, Margaret and Lewis, and Jacob.
She leaves six daughters to mourn her death. Funeral services were held in St. Mary’s Church Friday morning with Reverend Father Schemel officiated.
This picture of the family was taken from the St. Mary’s Church book.

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