My maternal Grandfather's ancestry can be traced back to the mid-1600's in Silesia, Prussia. My work on this side of the family was made that much easier, both by the stories that my Grandfather shared with the family while I was growing up and by the efforts of the Dr. O.S. Kriebel, Mr. Elmer K. Schultz, Mr. Wayne C. Meschter, Mr. Samuel K. Brecht, Mr. Samuel Yeakle and Mr. J. E. Brunett Buckenham, MD - the publishing committee - who endeavored to document and record the family genealogy of the original Schwenksfelders who emmigrated to the Pennsylvania Colony in 1734. My Grandfather's Kribel (Kriebel) ancestors were among them. I knew from listening to my Grandfather's stories about his family, that one Kribel (Kriebel) ancestor chose to stay in Prussia (Germany) - Hans, the brother of my 8x Great Grandfather. And, Grandpop would also say that anyone who spelled their surname like he did, was most oft related to us in someway. I have since learned, that he was right, and wrong.
If you are not familiar with the history of the Schwenksfelders, I encourage you to visit http://www.schwenkfelder.com/museum/SchwenkfelderGallery.htm to learn more.
So where is our black sheep? You ask. Well, remember that at least one (known) ancestor of ours chose to stay in the Father Land and in doing so, I am sure that they and their family members took part in many of a historical event, up to, but I am sure not limited to WWII. I have always had an interest in current events and have also been an avid reader of history, particularly WWII, and back in 2001 I picked up the book "THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF ADOLF HITLER" by Mr. John Toland. When I scanned the photographs that were included in the book, my eyes fell on one that depicted Adolf Hitler in the Landsberg Prison; Hitler was sitting with Emil Maurice - his chauffeur and companion - and, with . . . wait for it . . . Colonel Hermann Kriebel! Yup, KRIEBEL. I have yet to connect the Colonel with my family tree, but I must admit I am intrigued. Is this Colonel Kriebel a descendant of Hans Kriebel, the known ancestor to have stayed in the Father Land? I hope to one day answer that question.
The picture in the book resides in the Library of Congress. I do know that Colonel Hermann Kriebel participated in the November 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. I also know from a cursory Google search that Hermann Kriebel, after serving his sentence with Hitler in Prison for his participation in the Putsch, was released and while maintaining his ties with the Nazi Party, did not benefit from Hitler's rise to power. He retired and went on to become the German Consul General in Shanghai.
Circle - Colonel Hermann Kriebel
Is this 'my' family's black sheep?
