Christian Kribbs biography
Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, Vol.2 pp. 555-556, John W. Jordan ed., Lewis Historical, NY 1913
KRIBBS The Kribbs family came to this country at an early day. The first of whom we have record is Christian Kribbs, who came with father, brothers and sisters. He was unable to pay his passage in money, therefore his services were sold to the highest bidder, who was a man from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He worked out his term of service; then began a search for his relatives, none of whom he had seen since parting at the ship. He finally located them living near the state line between Pennsylvania and New York, but he was so changed in appearance that they did not at first recognize him. He remained in that locality some years, then came to Clarion county, where he literally "hewed a farm from the wilderness." This tract of two hundred acres was situated in Beaver township, and is now owned by John Whitling. He erected a comfortable log cabin and died. He was a good man, honest, industrious and much respected.
His first wife, Mary died in middle age. They were both Lutherans. He married a second wife, but all his children were born of his first marriage.
[Notes typed into the margin of this copy: Christian Kribbs married (1) Maria Susanna Gutekunst on 11-23-1803; married (2) Christiana Dunkle on 12-7-1843. Source probably Margaret Kahle who submitted to us photocopy of this article.]
Children: 1. Garret, born, lived and died in Beaver township; a farmer. 2. George, also a farmer of Beaver all his life. 3. Philip, died in Salem township; a farmer. 4. John, died in Salem township; a farmer. 5.Jacob, of whom further. 6. Priscilla, married William Sheffer. 7. Elizabeth, married Adam Sheffer. 8. Catherine, married (first) Henry Miller, (second) Jacob Kramer. 9. Mary, married John Weaver.
(III) (sic) Jacob, son of Christian and Mary Kribbs, was born in Beaver township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1824. He grew to manhood on the homestead farm, which he helped to clear and cultivate until his marriage. In 1845 he bought a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, in Ashland township, which was only partly cleared and carried the log buildings erected by its first owner. These Jacob replaced with more modern buildings, finished clearing and cultivated successfully until 1880, when he rented it to his son, Burbage Martin. He then moved to Salem township and purchased a small farm of thirty acres. He lived there in comparative retirement until his death, October 6 [6 has been marked out], 1908. He was a Democrat in politics, served as county auditor several terms and for many years was justice of the peace in Ashland township. He was prominent and well known in Clarion county, being held in highest respect. Both he and his wife were Lutherans.
He married Delilah Martin, born September 19, 1823 [September marked out, Nov. written in], died August, 1903. She was a daughter of Bernhart Martin, born in France. When a young man he came to America, with a brother and sister. He settled in Ashland township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, married there and bought a tract of wild land, which he cleared and improved. He was a Democrat in politics, stood high in the regard of his townsmen, who elected him justice of the peace, an office he held many years. He was a Lutheran in religion. His children were: John, deceased; Jacob, now a retired farmer, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Adeline, married Rev. J. S. A. Weller, whom she survives; Margaret, married George Black, now deceased, and lives in Franklin, Pennsylvania; Mary Jane, married Julius McFern, now deceased, and lives in Greenville, Pennsylvania; Delilah, mentioned above, married Jacob Kribbs.
Children of Jacob Kribbs: 1. Margaret, married James Miller, a farmer, and lives in Ashland township. 2. Parmelia Olive, deceased; married G. W. Ray, a farmer of Ashland. 3. Salina, married C. W. Mull, and lives in Richland township, Venango County. 4. Adeline, twin of Salina, died in Venango county; married James Beals. 5. Burbage Martin, of whom further. 6. Olive, married E. H. Curtis, of Salem township, Clarion county. 7. Amanda Maria, deceased; married Rev. Hartman. 8. William A., now a farmer of Kellottsville, Pennsylvania. 9. Charles Milford, now a farmer and butcher of Wimbledon, North Dakota
(IV) Burbage Martin, son of Jacob and Delilah (Martin) Kribbs, was born on the farm he now owns, in Ashland township, Clarion county, October, 1855. He was educated in the public schools, and continued his father's assistant at the home farm until 1880, when the latter turned the entire management over to him and moved to the small farm in Salem township. Burbage M. Kribbs continued in management of the Ashland township farm until 1892, when he became the owner by purchase from his father. He has made many improvements, and has one hundred and fifty-acres of well tilled profitable land under cultivation.
Oil was discovered on the farm and for several years the wells were operated, but have now ceased to produce. He carries on general farming operations, also raising and dealing in live stock. He is a Democrat in politics, has served in many township offices and is one of the substantial men of his town. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church, and he is a member of the Kinghts of the Maccabees.
He married, December 20, 1881, Frances E. Weeter, born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, eldest daughter of Samuel and Susanna F. (Knauss) Weeter, and granddaughter of Henry and Frances (Frye) Weeter. Henry Weeter was a farmer of Salem township, Clarion county, owning his own land and filling several township offices. His children were: Sarah, married Elias Sheffer, now deceased; Samuel, father of Frances E. (Weeter) Kribbs; Anna, resides in Nickleille, Pennsylvania, married John Persing; Harriet, married John Winger, and resides in Salem township; William, deceased; Ellen, married Harry King, of West Virginia; John, now engaged in the oil business, married ____Caldwell; Amanda, married Reuben Laughner, and resides in Salem, Pennsylvania; Frances, married Joseph Shrey, and resides in Salem township; Lewis, deceased, married Mary Weeter.
Susanna F. Kanuss, wife of Samuel Weeter, was daughter of Samuel Kanuss. He was the owner of a farm of three hundred acres, where he resided; also for many years he was a hotel proprietor, on the home farm, in Richland township, Venango county. Later he was an oil producer on his home farm also. He married a Miss Knight. Children: 1. Fietta, married Robert Shively; moved to Ohio, where both died. 2. Susanna F., mentioned above, married Samuel Weeter. Children of Samuel and Susanna F. Weeter: 1. Frances E., mentioned above, wife of Burbage Martin Kribbs. 2. Sarah, married John Barris, and lives in Richland township, Vanango county. 3. Irwin, died aged four years. 4. Emma, married Raymond Pierce, and resides in Clintonville, Pennsylvania. 5. Howard, married Sarah Masters. 6. Harvey, married Lorena Neely, and resides in Mariasville, Richland township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he is engaged in the oil business. 7. Lizzie, married Tobias Starr, and resided in Nineveh, Pennsylvania. 8. Bertha, married George Masters; resided on home farm of Samuel Weeter, Richland township. Mr. Masters also owns the adjoining farm and cultivates it.
Children of Burbage M. and Frances E. (Weeter) Kribbs: 1. Bertha, born March 7, 1883; educated in Clarion state normal school; previous to her marriage an instructor in public schools and a music teacher. She married W. L. Kooman, and resides in Knox, Pennsylvania. He is the manager of B.M. Kribbs & Company's department store. 2. Ina Myrtle, May 17, 1885; educated in Clarion state normal school; prior to her marriage a teacher of music. She married Alexander Kahle, and resides in Pine City, Pennsylvania, where he is a merchant. 3. Susan D., August 30, 1890; taught music two years; now a senior student at Clarion state normal school. 4. A son, died in infancy.
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