Old Aalten

Hendrickje Stoffels, Bredevoort

Biographies

About Aalten residents who have played an important or notable role in our local history or beyond. This list is by no means exhaustive.

Mayor A.J.W. Monnik (1879–1951)

Adriaan Johannes Willem Monnik

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1910 to 1945
Bekijk
Notary A.A. Stumph - Staatkundig Dagblad van het Departement van den Boven-IJssel, 1812-03-10

Abraham Antonij Stumph

Public notary, drowned in the Slinge in 1818
Bekijk
Sale of Lohn House – Rotterdamse Courant, 12 September 1797

Abraham Casper Salomon ten Bokkel

Around 1800: Land clerk, advocate, notary and Justice of the Peace
Bekijk
Death of Abraham ten Dam — Aaltensche Courant, 3 February 1915

Abraham ten Dam

In 1871, he founded a comb factory with his brother-in-law Bernard Manschot
Bekijk
Adriaan Pieter Slicher van Bath

Adriaan Pieter Slicher van Bath

Notable and benefactor who contributed significantly to the Aalten community
Bekijk
Johan Bernard Anton Driessen (1797-1879)

Anton Driessen

Anton Driessen (1797–1879) was a prominent textile manufacturer in Aalten
Bekijk
Anton Kuijsten (1917–2007)

Anton Kuijsten

Teacher, watercolourist, draughtsman and woodcarver
Bekijk
Antoon Stapelkamp

Antoon Stapelkamp

Christian trade union leader and anti-revolutionary politician.
Bekijk
Arent Jan te Slaa, 'Jan met de Panne'

Arent Jan te Slaa

‘Jan met de panne’ (1870–1935) was the last town crier in Aalten
Bekijk
Notary A.F. Roelvink – Opregte Haarlemsche Courant, 12 January 1848

Arnoldus Florentinus Roelvink, LL.M.

From 1818–1861 mayor of the municipality of Aalten. He was also a notary.
Bekijk
Dela Wikkerink-Eppink with Aron Jedwab alias Willem Herfstink

Aron Jedwab (Willem Herfstink)

Jewish ‘foundling’, born in hiding
Bekijk
Notary B.A. Roelvink, De Hare – Zutphensche Courant, 23 June 1866

Bernard Andries Roelvink

Notary in Aalten from 1852 to 1882
Bekijk
Bernard Huinink (1886–1970)

Bernard Huinink

Council Member and Alderman
Bekijk
Bernard Leezer – Nieuw Israelietisch Weekblad, 26 March 1993

Bernard Leezer

A conversation about meat, hiding from the Nazis, and football (1993)
Bekijk
Bredevoortsestraatweg 51, Aalten (photo: Funda, 2025)

Bernard Manschot

In 1871, he founded a comb factory with his brother-in-law, Abraham ten Dam
Bekijk
Bernardus Gerhardus Vaags (1855–1936)

Bernardus Gerhardus Vaags

Co-founder of the Becking & Vaags pipe factory
Bekijk
Cato Kothuis (1908–2001)

Cato Kothuis

Roman Catholic teacher
Bekijk
Burial mound, Nannielaantje, Aalten

Christiaan Casper Stumph

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1811 to 1818
Bekijk
Dela Maria Vaags in 1994

Dela Maria Vaags

Actress, primarily known for her role in the drama series Vrouwenvleugel
Bekijk
De Wildeman, Zaadmarkt Zutphen, 2011

Derk Lijsen (1767–1838)

Born in Aalten, he made a name for himself as an architect in Zutphen
Bekijk
Dick Fries Cigar Shop

Dick Fries

Tobacco shopkeeper from 1949 to 2002
Bekijk
Anniversary of headteacher Stegeman, Aalten - Zutphensche Courant, 1879-08-26

Dirk Stegeman

Headteacher at the Public Primary School in Aalten
Bekijk
Mayor Doeke Bekius

Doeke Bekius

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1976 to 1988
Bekijk
Derk Breukelaar (1814–1891)

Rev. Derk Breukelaar

Chr. Reformed Minister in Aalten (1846–1888)
Bekijk
Dr. Evert Jan van Schaik (1881–1847)

Evert Jan van Schaik

Doctor in Aalten from 1912 to 1946
Bekijk
Evert Maarten Smilda (1928–2020)

Evert Maarten Smilda

Historian, teacher and veteran. He put the history of Aalten on the map.
Bekijk
Mayor Evert Sickens van Veen

Evert Sickens van Veen

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1946 to 1967
Bekijk
Father Jan de Vries

Father Jan de Vries

Missionary, originally from Bredevoort, murdered in the Congo in 1964
Bekijk
Mr. F.W.J. Immink – Zutphensche Courant, 10 July 1852

Frederik Willem Jacob Immink

Clerk of the Court (1852–1855) and District Judge (1855–1877) in Aalten
Bekijk
Gerrit Johan Kaemingk and Truus ten Boom

G.J. Kaemingk, inventor of ‘electric education’

Mr. Kaemingk calls it “Elucator” (electricity + educator)
Bekijk
Mayor Georg Ludwig Carl Heinrich Baud

Georg Ludwig Carl Heinrich Baud

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1888 to 1895
Bekijk
Gerard Tebroke (1975)

Gerard Tebroke

One of the best Dutch athletes ever in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres
Bekijk
Constable Gerrit Heersink (1846–1920)

Gerrit Heersink

Constable
Bekijk
Gerrit Hendrik Heinen (1851–1933)

Gerrit Hendrik Heinen

Entrepreneur, photographer, fine art painter and bon vivant
Bekijk
Gerrit Jan Heinen (1858–1929), clockmaker

Gerrit Jan Heinen

Amateur Clockmaker from IJzerlo
Bekijk
Gerrit Jan Lammers (1903–1976)

Gerrit Jan Lammers

Journalist, civil servant and former director of the RVD
Bekijk
Gerrit Jan Prinsen (1888–1941)

Gerrit Jan Prinsen

Makelaar/taxateur met diverse maatschappelijke functies
Bekijk
Gertrud van Myllendonk

Gertrud van Myllendonk

Pledge-holder of Bredevoort from 1582 to 1612
Bekijk
Van der Lawick coat of arms

Gooswijn van der Lawick

Captain and bailiff of Bredevoort
Bekijk
Johann Heinrich Joseph Driessen (1794–1879)

Heinrich Driessen

Heinrich Driessen (1794–1879) was a prominent textile manufacturer in Aalten
Bekijk
Hendrickje Stoffels, Bredevoort

Hendrickje Stoffels

Maidservant and later beloved of Rembrandt, born in Bredevoort in 1626
Bekijk
Mayor Hendrik Hieltje Hans Haverkamp

Hendrik Hieltje Hans Haverkamp

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1968 to 1970
Bekijk
Hermann A.F.C.M. Driessen (1831-1911) 1

Herman Driessen

Herman Driessen (1831–1911) was a prominent textile manufacturer in Aalten
Bekijk
Izaak Antonie de Moor (1905–1984)

Izaak Antonie de Moor

Acting (NSB) mayor of Aalten from 1944 to 1945
Bekijk
Jacobus Wilhelmus van Hopbergen – Aaltensche Courant, 17 December 1913

Jacobus Wilhelmus van Hopbergen

Ret. Lieutenant Colonel and former member of the Provincial Council of Gelderland
Bekijk
Jan Brill

Jan Brill

Municipal architect in Aalten from 1906 to 1924
Bekijk
Jan Elferink – Dagblad Tubantia, 24 March 1987

Jan Elferink

Bank manager, organiser and… comic orator!
Bekijk
Notaris Mensink, Aalten

Jan Hendrik Willem Mensink

Notary in Aalten from 1909 to 1939
Bekijk
Jan Steven Schaars Prins (1817–1893)

Jan Steven Schaars Prins

State Constable from 1858 to 1885, who inspired both fear and awe
Bekijk
Johannes Josephus (Jans) Betting (1871–1956) with his Papal decoration

Jans Betting

Recipient of a papal decoration
Bekijk
Mr. Johan (Hans) Pruim (1931-2014)

Johan (Hans) Pruim, LL.M.

Cantonal Court Judge and Bookseller
Bekijk
Mayor Johan Hora Adema

Johan Hora Adema

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1886 to 1888
Bekijk
Johan Obbink (1869–1957)

Johan Obbink

Co-founder Dairy Factory, Agricultural Association, a.o.
Bekijk
Johannes Paul Hagemann (1882–1960)

Paul Hagemann

Photographer, painter, sketch artist and amateur naturopath
Bekijk
Notary Maitland, Aalten

John Bernard William Maitland

Notary, deputy cantonal court judge and member of the Provincial States
Bekijk
Johannes (Joop) der Weduwen

Johannes der Weduwen

General practitioner in Aalten who died during World War II
Bekijk
Small stream behind De Kiefte (Heurne), by Joop Doodeheefver

Joop and Truus Doodeheefver

Artist couple who regularly exhibited together
Bekijk
Josephus Walter Julius Driessen

Joseph Driessen

Textile manufacturer who contributed significantly to the Aalten community
Bekijk
Leonard Roelvink, mayor of Aalten 1861–1886

Leonard Roelvink, LL.M.

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1861 tot 1886
Bekijk
Lourens Navis (1870–1940)

Lourens Navis

GP in The Hague, Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, a.o.
Bekijk
Luutenshuus, Haartsestraat, Aalten

‘Knonnepoetse’

Around 1960, a woman with this nickname lived in Aalten
Bekijk
Mayor Ruurd Faber

Ruurd Faber

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1971 to 1975
Bekijk
Terrazzo mosaic created by the Monasso family

Monasso: Italian Terrazzo Workers in Aalten

Operating in the Achterhoek for over a century
Bekijk
Notary O.H. Roschet, Aalten - Staatkundig Dagblad van het Departement van den Boven-IJssel, 1813-02-02

Otto Hendrik Roschet

Appointed ‘imperial notary’ in the canton of Aalten in 1812
Bekijk
Havezathe 't Walfort, Jan de Beijer, 1743

Jan Holstein

Bailiff of Aalten. In 1589, he was killed at ‘t Walfort.
Bekijk
Pastor Christianus Franciscus Bonifatius van Rooijen

Pastor Van Rooijen

Tragically killed as a result of a bombing
Bekijk
Piet Bloot – Cart in snow in front of a farmhouse, acrylic on canvas

Piet Bloot

Painter, draughtsman and poet
Bekijk
Piet te Lintum

Piet te Lintum

Also known as the ‘painting ambassador of the Achterhoek’
Bekijk
Pieter Hendrikus Boer (1862–1927)

Pieter Hendrikus Boer

Founder of De Boer printing house in Aalten
Bekijk
Notary Losecaat Vermeer, Aalten – Graafschapbode, 27 August 1902

Pieter Losecaat Vermeer

Notary in Aalten from 1894 to 1908
Bekijk
Herman Theodorus Obbink (1869–1947)

Rev. Herman Theodorus Obbink

Dutch Reformed minister, theologian, Bible translator, and court chaplain
Bekijk
Rev. Jan Derk Stegeman (1875–1970)

Rev. Jan Derk Stegeman

Dutch Reformed minister in Aalten (1913–1970)
Bekijk
Rev. J.H.F. Gangel (1839–1908)

Rev. Johannes Hendrik Frederik Gangel

Dutch Reformed minister in Aalten (1879–1895)
Bekijk
Tjeerd Radsma (1772–1839)

Rev. Tjeerd Radsma

Dutch Reformed Minister in Aalten (1817–1839)
Bekijk
Servaas van Leuven (1811–1898)

Servaas van Leuven

‘Physician, surgeon and accoucheur’ in Aalten from 1836 to 1896
Bekijk
Grave Thomson-van Hopbergen, Bredevoort (photo: Remco Neerhof, 2020)

The Thomson-van Hopbergen family

A military family with Scottish roots in Bredevoort
Bekijk
Ton Kotter (1906–1991)

Ton Kötter

Composer, conductor, and trumpeter
Bekijk
Decorations of Tonij Stapelkamp - Citadel Medal and the (large) named medal issued later by the Commission of Gratitude; on the right, the Bronze Cross of the Ten Days' Campaign.

Toni Stapelkamp

Veteran, decorated for his service during the Belgian Revolt
Bekijk
'Uncle Jan' Wikkerink (1896–1981)

‘Uncle Jan’ Wikkerink

Key resistance leader during World War II
Bekijk
Bernardus Hendrikus Bloemers, opname Veenhuizen I, 22-06-1896

Vagrant from Bredevoort sent to Veenhuizen as punishment

Bernard Bloemers was sent to a penal colony in Drenthe in 1896.
Bekijk
Warnar Willem Marinus Moll (1857-1937)

Warnar Willem Marinus Moll

Teacher with various social and community roles.
Bekijk
Wilhelm Albertus Lammers (1857–1913)

Wilhelm Albertus Lammers

‘The Chicken Painter of Aalten’
Bekijk
Coat of arms of the Van Haersolte family

Wilhelm van Haersolte

The drossard who went down with his castle
Bekijk
Mayor Willem Carel Tack

Willem Carel Tack

Mayor of the municipality of Aalten from 1895 to 1910
Bekijk
Notary Krijgers Janzen – Aaltensche Courant, 21 July 1939

Willem Catharinus Krijgers Janzen

Appointed as notary in Aalten in 1939
Bekijk
The archive room of the Hebly architectural firm, 2011. Photo by H.G. Nijman (ECAL coll.)

Willem Hebly

He designed many houses, retail properties, schools, etc., in Aalten
Bekijk
Legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion in North Africa, 1930-1935 (Coll. NLL. Conv. HAASE, Willy), photo for illustrative purposes.

Willem Massen

Legionnaire from Aalten in the French Foreign Legion
Bekijk
Willem te Gussinklo Jr. (Piepkes Willem), ca. 1943

Willem te Gussinklo Jr.

‘Piepkes Willem’. Director of Dutch Button Works, lived at Slingesteyn
Bekijk
Willem te Gussinklo Sr. (1852–1920)

Willem te Gussinklo Sr.

Pipe manufacturer, later focused on the production of buttons
Bekijk
Willy Walvoort (1935–2018), draftsman/painter

Willy Walvoort

Maintenance man, as well as a talented draughtsman, painter and illustrator
Bekijk
Wim Mateman (1945–2019)

Wim Mateman

Member of the House of Representatives of the States-General from 1979 to 1998 on behalf
Bekijk
Almshouse / Agnieten House, Bredevoort

Wolf Misslich († 1639)

Governor of the Lordship of Bredevoort from 1629
Bekijk