Ret. Lieutenant Colonel and former member of the Provincial Council of Gelderland
Jacobus Wilhelmus van Hopbergen was born on July 16, 1817, in Ravenstein (municipality of Oss), son of retired lieutenant Diederik Christoffel Hendricus van Hopbergen and Maria Wilhelmina Frank. His parents presumably settled at Prinsenstraat 10 in Bredevoort around 1820.
After his training and compulsory military service in the 3rd Infantry Regiment in Leeuwarden, where he reached the rank of titular lieutenant colonel, he married Adriana Pieternella Dillié (1816–1888) in Leeuwarden in 1848. They had four daughters; a son died shortly after birth.
His older sister Louiza Wilhelmina (1810–1906) had married Lieutenant Colonel Jan Jacob Thomson (1784–1858) in 1837. They lived in his parental home in Bredevoort.
Settling in Aalten
In 1869, the Van Hopbergen family settled in Aalten, at the beginning of the Hogestraat. Shortly thereafter, Van Hopbergen purchased the plot at Markt 18 in Aalten and had a stately villa in eclectic style built there, including outbuildings for a carriage and staff.
He derived his social status not only from his military career but also from his role as a representative of the Aalten electoral district in the Provincial Council of Gelderland.
On December 11, 1913, Jacobus Wilhelmus van Hopbergen passed away at the age of 96 in his villa at Markt 18 in Aalten. He found his final resting place at the Old Cemetery on the Varsseveldsestraatweg in Aalten.
Obituary
On December 13, 1913, the Aaltensche Courant wrote:
Yesterday, the Right Honorable Jacobus Wilhelmus van Hopbergen, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Infantry in this country, born July 16, 1817, in Ravenstein, passed away here at a great age. He thus reached the age of over 96 years. We do not wish to provide a biography of this eminent man, as that would require a more refined pen than ours, but we merely wish to speak a brief word upon his passing.
After his retirement, he settled in Aalten with his family approximately 50 years ago and very quickly earned the respect of all residents; he became a full citizen of his place of residence and worked diligently toward the progress of this town.
Many who knew him in the prime of his life and learned to respect him have already departed from the earthly stage, yet a small circle remains who remember the straightforward, sincere Colonel. It was no wonder that he served for many years on the Provincial Council and the Municipal Council, and was a Churchwarden of the Reformed Congregation until he was forced to resign due to advanced age.
Devoted heart and soul to liberal principles, he was always a diligent but honest fighter. What Mr. A. Willink was to Winterswijk, Mr. Van Hopbergen was to Aalten. He was very charitable toward the poor and the sick, supported in this by his family. We shall hold his memory in honor. A good and distinguished citizen has departed from us.