1900–1973
Personal details
- Forenames
- Arent Jan
- Surname
- Wikkerink
- Born
- Aalten, 15 June 1900
- Died
- 15 February 1973
- Buried
- Begraafplaats Berkenhove, Aalten
- Grave number
- 1566
- 15 June 1900
Born
AaltenOpen Archieven
- from 1922
Occupation / role
Entrepreneur
- 15 February 1973
Died
Find a GraveBuried: Begraafplaats Berkenhove, Aalten · grave 1566Find a Grave
Sources
- Move On Magazine – Bij Wikkerink is gewoon doen al 102 jaar gek genoeg
- Wikkerink Aalten – 100 jaar Firma Wikkerink
- Online Begraafplaatsen – Arent Jan Wikkerink
- Findagrave – Community Memorial
- Open Archieven – Marriage record, inv. no. 12400.02, folio 27
- Open Archieven – Population register, inv. no. 1109
Arent Jan Wikkerink was born on 15 June 1900 in Aalten. He would become the founder of the family business later known as Firma A.J. Wikkerink.
From timber trade to paraffin
Wikkerink initially worked for a timber business. He lost two fingers in an industrial accident, making it difficult for him to work with machinery. In 1922 he therefore set up on his own as a paraffin vendor.
Paraffin was widely used in those years for lamps, cooking appliances and heaters. At first, Wikkerink went round to his customers with a handcart. In Aalten he became known as ‘Petrolie Wikker’. The trade grew quickly: within a year he was able to buy a horse and cart so that he could also supply customers in the rural districts. A border permit also allowed him to cross into Germany.
Bredevoortsestraat
As his trade grew, Wikkerink was able to move into a larger house with business premises on Bredevoortsestraat, now Bredevoortsestraatweg 113. The 1934 directory lists A.J. Wikkerink there. The location remained closely associated with the family business thereafter.
His sons Henk and Albert joined the business, after which the firm continued as A.J. Wikkerink & Zonen. The paraffin trade expanded to include products such as paraffin heaters. In 1951 Wikkerink also took over a paraffin business in Varsseveld.
From paraffin to motor fuels
In the mid-1950s, underground tanks were installed for the sale of petrol and diesel. Gas cylinders and gas appliances were also added to the range. In the early 1960s an LPG pump followed, and the company acquired a tanker to collect fuel from the refinery at Pernis.
Arent Jan Wikkerink thus laid the foundations for a company that would later develop into a business with filling stations, car sales, garage activities and other mobility-related services. Firma Wikkerink celebrated its centenary in 2022.
Family and death
Arent Jan Wikkerink was married to Hermina Aleida te Sligte (1904–1991). He died on 15 February 1973, aged 72. The couple are buried at Berkenhove Cemetery in Aalten.