Perkiomen School - Griffin Yearbook (Pennsburg, PA)

Page 22 text:

REV. O. S. KRIEBEL, A. M., D. D PRINCIPAL 16

Page 21 text:

MAIN BUILDING

Page 23 text:

Dr. Kriebel l HE Rev. O. S. Kriebel, A.M., D.D., was born on a farm at Hereford. Berks Ti -, County, Pennsylvania, September 10th, 1853. His ancestors, who were Llykvl of sturdy stock, came from the Province of Silesia, in Southeastern Ger- , many, in 1734, and were among the early settlers of this section of the state. In l876 Dr. Kriebel's father died, and large responsibilities fell upon the boy's shoulders. Thus early in life circumstances combined to develop him into the strenuous worker we know him to be. At fifteen years of age he left the district school, but did not however neglect his books. He prepared himself during the following year for teaching, passed the required teacher's examinations, and received his certificate. For three years he taught and prepared himself in part for his college entrance. In '83 he entered Oberlin Academy, Oberlin, Ohio, to finish his preparatory work, and in '85 matriculated at Oberlin College. Now he was facing the proposition of working his way through collegeg the energy and courage characteristic of him to-day brought him success then, just as they do now. He not only met his own expenses, but also hired a man to work the farm for his mother at home. After four years in college he took his degree and entered Oberlin Theological Seminary for two years' work. Dr. Kriebel married Miss Corinne Miller in june, 1891. Miss Miller had graduated with the class of '86, of Oberlin, and had taken work in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. The University of Berlin was the scene of Dr. Kriebel's next year of study. Here he finished his third year of theological work. Upon his' return home the Schwenkfelder Church of Upper District called him to act as its pastor and as principal of Perkiomen Seminary. The church has prospered under his leadership. The congregation is scattered over a wide range of country, and services are held every Sunday in one of the three churches of the charge. Plans are being perfected which, when carried out, will give the people a new church home at Hereford, which is nearer the center of the charge than any of the other meeting places now being used. In june, 1907, Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon Dr. Kriebel the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity. Educational work in all its branches appeals to him strongly. He helped to organize and has continued to act as president of the Private Secondary School Association of Pennsylvania. The interest he takes in Y. M. C. A. work, in literary work, and athletics, reveal him as s. man heartily in sympathy with the minor activities which help to round out the life of each one of us. None of tl1e many who come in contact with him from day to day appreciate his sterling worth more than the alumni of the school. Through his efforts they have been given an opportunity to get an education which otherwise might not have come to them. Their horizon has been broadened, their ideals have been bettered, and their lives deepened as a result of coming in contact with Perkiomen's head in the course of a few years, and often of only a single year of study at the Seminary. The purely selfish motive which has brought many here to prepare for college or teaching has often given place to the spirit of unselfish service for others, which makes any life great in the best sense of the 'WT word . l 7