Mayor (1886–1888)
Johan Hora Adema (Leeuwarden, 24 April 1843 – Velp, 15 March 1938) was a mayor in three different municipalities. In addition, he served as a captain in the Grenadiers and Rifles Regiment (Regiment Grenadiers en Jagers). In 1870, he married the Frisian Lucia Aurelia Bergsma Fruitier de Talma, with whom he had four children.
Festive arrival in Aalten
In 1886, Hora Adema was appointed town major of Aalten, succeeding Mayor L. Roelvink, LL.M. To mark his arrival, a festive welcome procession was organised. A competition was held for the most beautiful triumphal arch, and in many parts of the village, people worked hard to prepare a fitting welcome for the new mayor.
The day of his arrival was exceptionally warm and celebratory; almost everyone was out on the streets. The new town father was driven through Aalten in a carriage. At each triumphal arch, the carriage halted so he could read the inscriptions displayed on them. The triumphal arch in Dijkstraat was particularly outstanding. It read:
“Wees welkom J. Hora Adema,
Voor U is deze boog geplant.
Bestuur, beheer voor aller eer
Dit dorp in ons vaderland.”
(Welcome J. Hora Adema, / For you this arch is raised. / Govern, manage to everyone’s honour / This village in our fatherland.)
The creators of this triumphal arch were awarded first prize. The new mayor took up residence in Landstraat.
Mayor in three municipalities
Hora Adema served successively as mayor of the municipalities of Aalten (1886–1888), Hengelo (1888–1891), and Harlingen (1896–1914).
He was succeeded as mayor of Aalten by Squire Georg Ludwig Carl Heinrich Baud.
