Marker Name: John Jacob Krehbiel Memorial Park
Marker Type: Roadside
Marker text:
In 1879 John Jacob Krehbiel (1838-1921), his wife Anna Leisy Krehbiel (1845-1923) and their children came to Newton from Denmark, Iowa. With George L. Epps, he purchased the Angood Blacksmith Shop at 128 E. 6th. In 1883 Krehbiel bought the business and constructed a carriage factory. He was a skilled wagon maker and wheel-wright having exercised that trade during the Civil War for the Union Army. Krehbiel was a co-founder of Bethel College and served on its first board of directors as president, a position he held for 20 years. Krehbiel became a major philanthropist giving liberal contributions to Bethel College and Bethel Deaconess Hospital. The family home was east of the factory and was surrounded by the fence that is presently enclosing the park. Krehbiel descendants and local citizens, under the leadership of the Newton Fine Arts Association, have financed this park, restored the two original buildings and the iron fence.
Erected on 1996 by the Harvey County Historical Society
Marker Location: Harvey
Year Marker Placed: 01/01/1996
Name of agency setting marker: Other (Please identify in marker text)
Official Marker Number: Not listed
Marker Web Address: Not listed
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