Frank Krebs Collection

Frank Martin Krebs was born in Miami Township, Ohio on October 30, 1886. He is the third son of Bartholomew Krebs and his second wife, Katherine Oster. As a boy, he attended school in both Greene County and Dayton. He attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs.

Between 1910 and 1944 Mr. Krebs' business career was rather prosperous. From 1910 to 1915 he owned and operated the Krebs Cafe, located at 25 W. Sixth Street, in Dayton. Later, approximately between 1928 and 1940, he was the co-founder and President of Krebs Co., also located in Dayton. And from 1919 through 1944 he maintained the title of President and General Manager of the Dixie Sales Company, which was also known as the Krebs Brothers Tire Company.

Mr. Krebs' 1932 election to Dayton City Commissioner began his extensive and successful career in politics. During his tenure as City Commissioner, a position he held until 1941, he was instrumental in the development of the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority. In 1942, Mr. Krebs was elected Mayor of Dayton and held the position until 1945. Being the political leader of a growing metropolitan city and military center is not an easy task, and one made more difficult for him during the extremely difficult years of World War II. During his tenure as Mayor, Mr. Krebs focused much of his attention on maintaining civic morale and encouraging strong support for the American war cause. Victory gardens, War Bonds, and recycling were among his favorite causes.

The completion of his mayoral term in 1945 did not mark the end of Mr. Krebs' political career. In 1946 he was named as the Ohio State Liquor Board Commissioner. He maintained this position until 1957. During much of this time, approximately 1950 and continuing until 1962, Mr. Krebs also held the local position of Montgomery County Clerk of Courts.

Throughout his rather extensive and successful civic and political career, Frank Krebs was supported by a stable and fulfilling home-life. On September 24, 1907 he married Adelaide Jane Hibbert, the daughter of William Hibbert and Jeanette Croghan. Mr. and Mrs. Krebs had three daughters; Marie Catherine, born July 23, 1908, Dorothy Jane, born July 19, 1912, and Louise Frances, born December 31, 1913. All three of his daughters eventually married and bore children of their own.

After a full and successful personal, professional, political life, Mr. Krebs passed away on June 3, 1965.