Rev. John A. Krebs Biography


	This biography appears on page 800 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				REV. JOHN A. KREBS. 

	Rev. John A. Krebs is the zealous and popular pastor of St. 
Mary's Catholic church at Zell, Faulk county, and fills in his 
community the high place given to members of the clergy who prove 
themselves worthy of their office. He was born on the 7th of July, 
1861, in New. York, a son of James and Mary (Raber) Krebs. The father 
died in March, 1882, and was buried in New York. The mother resides 
with the subject of this review, who is the eldest of ten children, the 
others being: Mary, the wife of August Welher, a brass finisher of New 
York; Kate, who married Harry Boyd, chief engineer of the Edison 
Electric Company of New York; Adelaide, the wife of John Rauschkolb, a 
resident of New York; Anna, who is residing with our subject; and 
James, Joseph, Charles, Helen and Eva, all of whom died in infancy and 
are buried in Holy Trinity cemetery in New York. 

	Father Krebs entered the Christian Brotherhood at Westchester, 
New York, in 1877, and labored as teacher for seventeen years, teaching 
in Baltimore, Philadelphia and at Drexel Institute, Eddington, 
Pennsylvania. His Philadelphia pupils received a first class diploma at 
the World's Fair for pupils, work. In 1894 he entered the Apostolic 
College at Watertown, New York, in preparation for holy Orders. He 
completed his theological studies at the Capuchin monastery in 
Brooklyn, New York, at which place he was ordained for the diocese of 
Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1904. His first parish was at Bowdle, 
where he remained for six years, building in that time a residence that 
was a credit to the congregation. He was then sent to Kranzburg and was 
pastor there for two years. Upon leaving that place he took charge of 
St. Mary's church at Zell and although he has only been there a 
comparatively short time has gained the affection of his people and the 
sincere respect and goodwill of the community at large. He is 
conscientious in the performance of the many and varied duties that 
fall upon a priest and there are many who have been strengthened and 
comforted by his ministrations. While his first concern is for the 
spiritual welfare of his congregation he does not underestimate 
material things and has proved not only zealous in the discharge of his 
purely religious duties but also wise and judicious in the management 
of the financial affairs of the church. His service has been of such a 
character that he has not only gained honor for himself but also for 
the great church which he represents.