Frank Krebs

Mr Krebs was born at Watertown on 25 March 1871, a son of the late Charles and Elva Krebs. He moved to Jefferson with his parents at the age of 7 and spent his early life in this community. Mr Krebs operated a confectionery store in Jefferson some 40 years ago. In 1898 Mr Krebs enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry of Fort Atkinson. His company journeyed to the Philippines on two occasions to put down rebellions. Later, during other enlistments, he served the army, being stationed at San Francisco, Portland, in Mexico he was in Pershing's command after the ill-famed Willa. Following this the United States entered WWI and he was sent to France where he was the second American soldier to set foot on French soil. His stay there was brief however and he was soon returned to this country to render aid to recruiting service. In 1917 he was detailed in command of the grounds of the Fitzsimmons army hospital at Denver, which position he held up to the time of his retirement on 31 March 1927. At that time she was a Master Sargeant. Mr Krebs first wife whom he married in Montana, died in 1929 and in 1931 he married Hattie C. Schmitt of Jefferson in California. For the past three years they have made their home at Jefferson. Mr Krebs was a born raconteur, and coupled with his keen interest in present day problems and his varied experiences during his army career, he was always accorded respectful attention. Despite the fact that most of his life and spent in traveling from one army post to another he managed to visit this city at infrequent intervals to renew old acquaintances and form new ones. The news of his death came as a severe loss to the entire community.