Photo gallery Kolenbrander, Colenbrander and Koolenbrander family
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Agatha Maria Colenbrander
(1762-1830)
A ship carrying over 17 tons of gunpowder blew up in Leiden on January 12th 1807, 151 people were killed, 2000 wounded and 220 buildings were destroyed. One of the buildings was the boarding school of Agatha Maria Colenbrander she inherited 10 months before from her husband Jean Jacques Schneither. At the time of the explosion about 40 to 50 students were attending classes, three of them died in the collapse of the building.
Theodorus Christiaan Colenbrander
(1811-1881)
Theodorus Christiaan came to Natal from Java in 1854 with an associate, Wilhelm van Prehn. They tried growing and manufacturing indigo at Pinetown in partnership with Archibald Keir Murray, but without success. Van Prehn left the Colony, but Theodorus remained. He acted on behalf of an emigration company named the Nederlandsche Landbouw Emigratie Maatschappij established in Holland by his brother reverend Herman Colenbrander and his two sons Johannes Arnoldus and Adriaan together with the Amsterdam ship-owner M.C. Lapidoth. They gained the approval of the Natal Executive Council to introduce young mechanics, farmers and labourers, who had been educated by a benevolent society. The aim of this emigration was to place these young people in other parts of the world, and thus to remove them from what was described as, ‘the contamination of European poverty’. The first batch arrived in May 1857, and from then until July 1860, at least six ships landed at Durban, introducing to the Colony surnames such as Wassink, Theunissen, Ente and Gielink, as well as more Colenbranders.
He was the founder of New Gelderland Natal (RSA) where he owned a farm and the New Gelderland Sugar Factory.
Willempje Haalboom
(1814-1893)
Wife of Jan Kolenbrander (1809-1870).
She emigrated to the USA in 1856 with her husband and four daughters and one son, Hermanus Kolenbrander (1841-1864). While working on a nearby farm Hermanus was recruited on 01.03.1862 and served in the Civil War as a private in Iowa's 17th Infantry Regiment K Company. He was taken prisoner of war on 23.11.1863 at Missionary Ridge (TN) and died on 12.07.1864 at the infamous POW camp at Andersonville GA.
Because her husband had died and Hermanus would have been her sole provider Willempje applied for a pension, but this was rejected. She went to court and finally on 26.07.1880 she was awarded a pension of $ 8 per month.
Heinrich Johann Boland (1814-1901)Husband of Johanna Catharina Willemina Kolenbrander (1818-1881). Boland family - Spork NW (DEU) August 1901. Standing: Elisabeth Johanna (1888-1982), Gerhard Emil (1804-1904), Wilhelmina Bernardina (1879-1962), Johann (1845-1904), Johanna Henriette (1891-1982), Heinrich Johann (1877-1953). Wilhelm Johann (1885-1982). Front: Dina Johanna (1883-1962), Heinrich Johann (1814-1901) widower of Johanna Catharina Willemina Kolenbrander (1818-1881), Johann Bernard (1894-1923), Henriette Schepers (1885-1902) and on her lap Bertha Gesina (1899-1969), Dina Aleida te Beest (1869-1953) and on her lap Frederik Gerrit (1901-1970). |
Gerrit Kwak
(1825-1890)
Husband of Aleida Wendelina Colenbrander (1831-1861) and after her death he married her sister Hanna Willemina Colenbrander (1839-1929). He was miller on ‘De Haan’. At first he was a leaseholder but after a couple of years he bought the mill. From then on the mill was known as the ‘Kwaksmölle’.
Adrianus Colenbrander and Jeanne Jacqueline Brunner (1838-1909) - (1841-1917) Standing from left to right: Adriaan Lucas Brunner Colenbrander (1880), Alida Sophia Colenbrander (1878-1959), Adriaan Leopold Brunner Colenbrander (1884-1941) and Christina Louise Colenbrander (1882-1960). Sitting are Adrianus Colenbrander (1838-1909), Jeanne Jacqueline Brunner (1841-1917) and in front of them Violet Nancy Berend (1905-1989), daughter of Alida Sophia. |
Theodoor Christiaan Adriaan Colenbrander (1841-1930) He was a well-known designer of ceramics, pottery and carpets. Today his work is highly sought-after and displayed in museums all over the world, for instance the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Victoria and Albert in London. On the open market it fetches very high prices with antique dealers and at auctions. For his work he rearranged his initials to T.A.C. |
Gerardus Theodorus Colenbrander (1850-1926) |
After completing his education in Holland, together with his brothers Adriaan and Antonie, he joined the Dutch Navy where he served as an engineer. He was recalled by his father to help him run the farm and sugar mill at New Guelderland. He was also the Postmaster of New Guelderland.
Johan Willem Colenbrander (1855-1918) Zulu nickname ‘Sishungushwana emhlope’ which means “The White Whirlwind’. During his lifetime he participated in a number of key events, including the Zulu War, the visit of Lobengula's indunas to Queen Victoria, Rhodes' expansion into Mashonaland where he acted as interpreter, the Ndebele Rebellion, and the Anglo-Boer War (during which he raised and commanded a unit named 'Kitchener's Fighting Scouts'). After several unsuccessful business ventures, he obtained employment in 1917 with I.W. Schlesinger's film company, helping to organize labour for the filming of The Symbol of Sacrifice. He played the part of Lord Chelmsford in the film and drowned as he tried to cross the Klip River on horseback. In The Netherlands he was renounced by his Dutch family because he fought on the English side during the Angla-Boer War. However they probably didn't realise he grew up in the English part of South-Africa and had no feelings whatsoever to the cause of the Boers. |
Maria and Elizabeth Mullins (1861-1900) - (1860-1935) Maria Mullins was the first wife of Johan Willem Colenbrander and lived a great part of her life with him at the kraal of king Lobengula in Bulawayo in today Zimbabwe. Johan and she were trusted by the Matabele king and both spoke the language. Elizabeth Mullins was married to Johan Willem's brother Alphonse Charles Colenbrander (1867-1904). They also lived at Bulawayo. Both women were perfect shots. |
Catherine Gloster (1878-1972) Third wife of Johan Willem Colenbrander (1855-1918) The Gloster family - circa 1898 at Clonmellane House, Firies, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland Front from left to right: Mr. Heffernan (family friend), Esther Anne Groves (1845-1933) with Maurice Beatty Gloster (1896) son of Arthur Gloster and Eleanor Mary Beattie, James Gloster (1837-1916), Catharine Gloster (1878-1972), wife of Johan Willem Colenbrander (1855-1918) Back from left to right: Esther Ann Gloster (1888-1980), Thomas Gloster (1883), Arthur Gloster (1867-1922), James Gloster (1869-1946), Frances Ann (1864-1950) wife of James Gloster, Cornelius Gloster (1872-1907), Mary Jane Gloster (1875-1975). |
Gerrit Jan Kolenbrander and Trientje Schutten (1856-1917) - (1857-1923) Back row from left to right: Gerrit (1885-1976), Hendrik Jan (1891-1970), Gerrit Jan (1897-1968), Geesje (1889-1946), Janna (1893-1982) and Jantje (1882-1971). Front row from left to right: Hendrik (1881-1971), Gerrit Jan (1856-1917), Trientje Schutten (1857-1923) and Willem (1884-1983). |
Dirk Johannes Kolenbrander and Margaretha Hermanna Cator (1859-1934) – (1861-1916) Together with seven of their children. The children from left to right - Burgje (1888-1962), Andries (1893-1951), Gerrit (1886-1953), Margaretha Hermanna (1890-1954), Dirk Johannes (1895-1977), Gerardina Hermanna (1887-1973) - in front - Thomas (1891-1974). |
Hendrik Willem (Henry) Kolenbrander and Martha De Bruin (1861-1943) - (1871-1942) He and his brother Gerhardus Bernardus moved from Michigan to Pella IA for, as they said, to look for 'a good christian girl to marry'. They found them in the sisters De Bruin, daughters of Jan De Bruin (1838-1915) and Rikje Kolenbrander (1843-1919). Rikje was a daughter of Jan Kolenbrander (1809-1870) and Willempje Haalboom (1814-1893). |
Hendrik Willem (Henry) Kolenbrander and Martha De Bruin (1861-1943) - (1871-1942) Together with their four children. Standing from left to right: Johanna Aleida Kolenbrander (1898-1979) and Rachel Kolenbrander (1902-1993), sitting Dirk John Kolenbrander (1905-2001) and Dena Wilhelmina Kolenbrander (1905-2001). |
Gerhardus Bernardus Kolenbrander and Cornelia Magdalena Hollebrands (1863-1945) - (1874-1958) After the death of his parents he lived with relatives in Ede; he followed his brother Hendrik Willem (Henry) and emigrated to the USA on 08.02.1882. After the death of his first wife Wilhelmina De Bruin (1865-1898) he married Cornelia Magdalena Hollebrands. |
Gerhardus Bernardus Kolenbrander (1863-1945) Together with his family. Standing - Anna Angeline Kolenbrander (1909-2003), Elias Kolenbrander (1905-1992), ?, William Bernard Kolenbrander (1911-1983), ?, Henry William Kolenbrander (1907-2001), James John Kolenbrander (1912-1993), - front - Berdina Magdalena Kolenbrander (1914-2003), Cornelia Magdalena Hollebrands (1874-1958), Gerhardus Bernardus Kolenbrander (1863-1945), Janet Sarah Kolenbrander (1909-2002). |
Berendina Willemina Kolenbrander (1864-1953) After the death of her parents she was taken in by relatives in Varsseveld. From then until her marriage she had to do household chores and take care of the livestock. Because of this she hardly attended school and stayed illiterate. This was stated in bold letters on her identity card during World War II. Her grandson Jan Willem Huitink (1931-2008) remembered that because of her illiteracy people thought of her as ignorant. After the death of her husband Derk Gerrit Meijerman (1861-1911) she took over the farm and Jan Willem said 'how can you run a farm and be ignorant'. |
Arend Hermanus Kolenbrander and Cornelia Lingmont (1866-1958) - (1865-1954) With their family From left to right: Adriana Johanna (1904-1961), Dirkje Johanna (1899-1989), Arend Hermanus (1866-1958), Cornelia Wilhelmina (1897-1985), Hillegonda Cornelia (1895-1985), Cornelia Lingmont (1865-1954), Gerardina Hermina (1901-1949) and Louis Andries (1893-1973). The portrait is of their son Arend Hermanus (1906-1917) who died of polio. |
Wilhelmus Johannes Koolenbrander and Catharina Wilhelmina Köster (1866-1943) - (1882-1945) On their 25th wedding anniversary. Standing from left to right: Johannes Wilhelmus (1895-1971), Anna (1912-2004), Christina (1910-2004), Elisabeth Wilhelmina (1907-1989), Wilhelmina Johanna (1917-2007), Hendrikus Antonius (1897-?). The two sons are from Johannes Wilhelmus' first marriage to Johanna Christina Croesen (1867-1905). |
Jantje (Jane) De Bruin and Arie Cornelis De Jong
(1868-1956) - (1866-1938)
Daughter of Rikje Kolenbrander (1843-1919) and Jan De Bruin (1838-1915) with the first six of their twelve children.
Standing from left to right: Martin Arie De Jong (1892-1920), John Arie De Jong (1889-1968) and Mary De Jong (1888-1931).
Sitting from left to right: Arie Cornelis De Jong (1866-1938), Margaret De Jong (1896-1986), Richard Arie De Jong (1894-1988), Jantje (Jane) De Bruin (1868-1956) and baby Jacob Arie De Jong (1898-1951).
Picture was taken in 1900.
Herman Theodoor Colenbrander (1871-1945) He was a historian and the first director of the Commissie van Advies voor 's Rijks Geschiedkundige Publicatiën, which later on became the Institute of Dutch History. Since 1908 he was a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Between 1918 and 1925 he worked as a History professor at Leiden. He published several books on the subject of Dutch emigration. In 1933 he was accused of plagiarism by two of his colleagues but the accusation was unfounded. |
Petrus Johannes Kolenbrander and Aagje de Graaf (1881-1981) - (1883-1958) On their 50th wedding anniversary. From left to right |
Gustaaf Paul van Hecking Colenbrander
(1887-1945)
As a 1st Lieutenant infantry he switched in 1914 to the Luchtvaartafdeling (LVA), the predecessor of the Royal Air Force, first as an observer and later as pilot. He survived several air crashes and attained the rank of Commander-Major. During WW II he was a prisoner of war but was released due to his bad health.
He was also a successful soccer player and played as an international for The Netherlands and the Dutch Military Team.
Antonius Theodorus Colenbrander (1889-1929) He was troop captain and a well-known horseman who took part of the Olympic Games in Paris 1924 and Amsterdam 1928. At the games in Paris he won a gold medal in the discipline Military Teams. He died in 1929 as a result of a fall of his horse during a jumping event in Zelhem (Gld). |
Constance Addison (1893-1918) Daughter of Rosalie Benoni Colenbrander (1870-1901) and Walter Harding Bovell Addison (1859-1931). She trained as a nurse in England. After her two brothers Ernest Colenbrander Addison and Alphonse Colenbrander Addison were killed in action in WWI she returned to South Africa on the SS Galway Castle on 10th September 1918. At 07.30 hrs on 12th September 1918 when two days out from Plymouth, the ship was torpedoed by U-82 and broke her back. At the time she was carrying 400 South African walking wounded, 346 passengers and 204 crew members. So severe was the damage that it was thought that she would sink immediately and it was apparent that U-82 was lining up for another attack. In the rush to abandon ship several lifeboats were swamped by the heavy seas and many finished up in the sea. However, the U-boat did not mount a further attack and the Galway Castle continued to wallow for three days. Destroyers were summoned by radio to rescue survivors who were taken back to Plymouth where it was ascertained that 143 persons had perished, among them Cornelia Addison. |
Geesje Kolenbrander and Geert Leferink (1898-1947) - (1888-1984) Together with their children. From left to right back row: Hermina (1930), Johanna (1923-1997), Dina (1921-2004), Gerrit Jan (1924), Herman (1926) and Gerrit (1928) |
Johannes Galenus Willem Hendrik Baron van Sytzama
(1900-1945)
Son of Henriëtte Engbertine Colenbrander (1866-1941) and Maurits Pico Diederik Baron van Sytzama (1868-1939). He lived on Reuversweerd and was the owner of an agricultural farm and a stud farm. He was executed by a Dutch SS firing squad on 13.04.1945 at Groot Engelenburg. His widow stipulated that Reuversweerd never again should be occupied or entered. The clock at the front of the house was fixed on the time the baron died.
Albert Kolenbrander and Harmina Bekman
(1900-1980) - (1903-1989)
With their family.
Standing from left to right: Fenna Alberdina Kolenbrander (1929-2017), Johanna Harmina Kolenbrander (1923-2016), Harm Kolenbrander (1927-1997), Egberdina Kolenbrander (1903-1988), sister of Albert, and Albert Kolenbrander (1932-2011).
Sitting from left to right: Harmina Bekman (1903-1989) with Geesje Kolenbrander (1939-2017), Harm Kolenbrander (1871-1950) and Albert Kolenbrander (1900-1980).
Elias Kolenbrander
(1905-1992)
While farming in the Pella area he purchased a Travel Air bi-plane in 1930. Mid 1931 he was issued his pilot license and retired from farming. He intended to fly freight and post and the occasional tourist for a roundtrip. Due to the crisis the enterprise was not successful; he sold the plane at the end of 1933 and became an automobile salesman.
Arnold Benjamin Colenbrander
(1912-2002)
Zulu nickname ‘Mashanela’ which means ‘The Clean Sweeper’. His English nickname was ‘Coley’.
He made an outstanding career in the Civil Service and rose to the rank of Chief Bantu Affairs Commissioner. He was closely involved to bring about the self-governing state of KwaZulu. After the proclamation on April 1st, 1972 he was appointed Director for the Department of Justice in KwaZulu.
During World War II his career was interrupted. He enlisted and was posted to the Prince Alfred's Guard which was to become a tank regiment. As a Lieutenant and Troop Commander he took part in the battles in Italy, among them Monte Cassino and Celleno. At the latter one he was wounded when he was ‘blown out’ of the turret of his tank.
His memoirs are published under the title ‘Coley’s Odyssey’.
Johan Cornelius Alphonse Lawrence Colenbrander and Enid Beatrice Diana Bone
(1912-1999) - (1916-2006)
In World War II he served in the Royal Air Force and ultimately made Wing Commander Senior Medical Officer. In 1951 he returned to South Africa after he learned of the shortages of radiologists in that country. He played a leading role in the expansion and development of Edendale, the large Zulu hospital near Pietermaritzburg, after its opening on January 1st, 1954.
Derk Jan te Rietstap
(1913-1945)
Son of Bertha Colenbrander (1890-1937) and Gerrit Jan te Rietstap (1882-1955).
During World War II he was a member of the 'Trouw" resistance group in Bergentheim (Ov). He was arrested on 12.01.1945 together with 9 other resistance members, among them his cousin Gerrit Jan Ormel. On 20.02.1945 they were transferred to the prison in Doetinchem.
On 27.02.1945 three German soldiers were killed between Dinxperlo and Aalten by the resistance. As retaliation the Germans took 46 prisoners from Doetinchem, among them Derk Jan and Gerrit Jan, and brought them to Rademakersbroek near Varsseveld, where they were executed by a firing squad on 02.03.1945.
Marinus Hendricus Colenbrander
(1915-1989)
In WW II he was interned in concentration camp Vught from 16.04.1943 till 08.11.1943. Later on he was imprisoned in concentration camp Amersfoort and transfered to the Leipziger Werkzeug und Gerätefabriek in Leipzig (DEU) on 30.03.1944. He returned on 10.06.1945.
Henry Paul Colenbrander
(1924-2017)
He served in the US Navy during World War II. When he returned from duty he completed his college degree and became a teacher and coach at Northwestern College in Orange City IA. He later continued as football and basketball coach. In 12 years of coaching basketball his squads won more than 200 games and captured three state championships. His 11 years as football coach were highlighted by a 15-game winning streak from 1953 to 1954. In 1963, he moved his family to Holland MI to attend Western Seminary. During this time he officiated many games in local high schools. After his graduation he served as pastor of Maplewood Reformed Church for 12 years. Following his retirement from the ministry he continued until the age of 88 to preach and lead church services in many area churches. During this time he also built 36 houses in the Holland area.
Vernon Franklin Colenbrander
(1925-2003)
He enlisted in the US Navy and served as a fire control man on the LSMR #189 in the Pacific Theater.
In 1954 he graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Dairy Science and was named the Washington State University Agricultural Student of the Year. In August of 1957 he received his MA in Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin. From 1957 to 1960 Vernon was the Whatcom County Dairy Extension Agent. He earned his PhD in Animal Nutrition from Kansas State University in 1965 and then accepted a Professorship in Dairy Nutrition at Purdue University. In 1990 he retired from Purdue.
Paul Edwin Kolenbrander
(1942-2017)
Paul's career as a microbiologist at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda MD led to interaction with researchers from all over the world as he mentored postdocs (from the United States, Israel, India, Sri Lanka, France, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom) in his lab and presented papers at international conferences. His innovative research examined communities of bacteria in the mouth and discovered how they interacted. For example, which species attached to teeth first after visiting the dentist, which followed, and what did the bacteria produce and exchange to encourage this progression.
Paul moved to Maury Island WA in the Fall of 2009 and was known for his joyous greeting of "Good Morning". Gardening was his passion in retirement, as well as reading, hiking and backpacking, photography, travelling, playing games and cards, and just hanging out with family and friends.
Lawrence Gene Kolenbrander
(1943-2011)
He earned his master's and doctoral degrees at Colorado State University in Fort Collins CO in 1975 and 1981, respectively. He worked as an independent planning consultant in Loveland CO, before joining the Western Carolina University faculty in 1985 as coordinator of the university's new program in natural resources management.
During his 20 years of leadership, the natural resources management program grew from one to four faculty members and more than 300 students graduated. He also served as head of the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources for more than 10 years, and under his leadership the department grew in faculty, resources, majors and quality.
Known as "Doc" to his students he retired as emeritus professor.
Ronald William Kolenbrander
(1948-2019)
Ron earned a BA in history and social sciences from Southwest Minnesota State University, an MA in history from Emporia State University and an MA in political science and a PhD in adult education at Kansas State University. He spent his life as an educator.
He taught US history and government at Manhattan High School in Manhattan KS from 1973 to 1989. In 1989 he took a faculty position teaching future social science teachers at Radford University in Radford VA. He retired in 2012 as emeritus professor.
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