BIOS: Simon KREBS, Somerset Borough, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 288 and 291.

  Simon Krebs, one of the enterprising and prosperous business men of Somerset 
County, Pennsylvania, president of the Listie Mining and Manufacturing Company, 
is a native of Germany.  He was born April 10, 1839, the third son of John and 
Catherine (Scheid) Krebs.  His paternal grandfather, Simon Krebs, first, a 
cooper by trade, was a lifelong resident of the Fatherland, dying there at the 
age of seventy-two years.  His grandmother Krebs, whose maiden name was 
Elizabeth Von Hogh, died at the age of sixty-two years.  The grandparents had a 
family of eight children, four boys and four girls, of whom one, Charles, is the 
only survivor.
  John Krebs, the third son of Simon, first, was born in Germany in 1809, and 
was there engaged in agricultural pursuits during his earlier life.  In 1855 he 
emigrated with his family to America, coming to Schuylkill County, this State, 
settled in Tamaqua, where he carried on general farming until  his death, when 
sixty-four years old.  In politics he was an adherent of the Democratic party.  
He is survived by his wife- formerly Catherine Scheid, of Germany, who is now 
living in Tamaqua, a bright and active woman of eighty-nine years - and two of 
their five children, Charles and Simon.  Charles Krebs married Sarah Koster, of 
Schuylkill County, and has eight children- Edward, John, Harry, Carl, Helen, 
Catherine, Elizabeth, and Hattie.  Mrs. Catherine Krebs is a member of the 
Reformed church, to which her husband also belonged.
  Simon Krebs, the special subject of this sketch, attended school in Germany 
until fifteen years old, when he came with his parents to Pennsylvania.  In 
Tamaqua he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed three years; and 
then, in 1858, he went to California, where he engaged in mining and mercantile 
pursuits six years, in both occupations meeting with fair success.  Returning to 
Tamaqua, he opened a store of general merchandise in that town, and was there 
four years.  In 1868 he removed to Danville, Pa., where for more than a score of 
years he was one of the leading general merchants, and was likewise profitably 
engaged in the iron trade.  In 1892 Mr. Krebs purchased extensive coal fields in 
Somerset County, and changed his place of residence to Somerset borough.  He 
soon after organized the Listie Mining and Manufacturing Company, of which he is 
president, being the lessee of the coal fields worked by the company.  Two of 
his sons are connected with this firm, George J. being superintendent of the 
mines, and Louis T. secretary and treasurer of the company.  Mr. Krebs is a fine 
representative of the self-made men of this country, and being an able and 
experienced business man he naturally occupies a leading position among the 
substantial citizens of Somerset borough and county.  He is an active member of 
the Reformed church, a sound Republican in politics, and since 1865 has been 
identified by membership with the Ringgold Lodge, No 318, I.O.O.F., of Tamaqua.
  On July 18, 1866, Mr. Krebs married Harriet Schwartz, who was born in Lehigh 
Valley, Pa., the sixth of the seven children born to Jacob and Leah (Lechlieter) 
Schwartz.  Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Krebs, and five of them 
are now living; namely, Ada L., George J., Clara M., Louis T., and Leah C.  Ada 
L., wife of Charles P. Hancock, of Danville, Pa., has two children- William K. 
and John.  George J., superintendent of the mines, as above mentioned, is a 
prominent Mason and Past Master of Somerset Lodge, No 358, F & A. M.; Louis T., 
secretary and treasurer of the Listie Company, also belongs to Somerset Lodge, 
No. 358, F. & A. M., of Somerset, of which he is a Junior Warden.