Comb Manufacturer
Barend Johannis (Bernard) Manschot was born on 17 August 1850 in Prinsenstraat in Aalten, the son of Gerrit Willem Manschot (a blacksmith) and Johanna Geertruid Becking. On 18 July 1878, Bernard married Maria Harting (born in Breda, 4 December 1848) in Utrecht. A son and a daughter were born from this marriage.
In 1871, Bernard Manschot and his brother-in-law Abraham (Bram) ten Dam founded a comb factory on Damstraat in Aalten. Bernard and Bram lived opposite each other on Bredevoortsestraatweg; Bernard in the white villa at number 51, and Bram across the road, in the house that now characterises the Van Panhuis physiotherapy clinic.
Bernard Manschot passed away on 27 June 1920, at the age of 69.
Funeral
On Wednesday afternoon, the mortal remains of Mr B. J. Manschot were carried to the grave. Once the coffin had been lowered, Mr Slicher van Bath spoke a brief word of farewell and gratitude. “You now enjoy the rest,” the speaker noted, “which you so richly deserve. Yet we would have so gladly kept you in our midst a little longer, where you were driven by such noble principles in all your deeds.
We have learned much from your wisdom and benefited from the goodness of your heart. We shall have to miss all of this now. But we will not forget you. The spiritual seeds you have sown will remain within us, and we shall endeavour to follow your example in all the noble and grand things you have done.
We have not come here to proclaim your praises. You would not wish to accept them here. You were too humble for that. However, we must not forget to express our gratitude for what you have done for the Departement tot nut van ’t algemeen (Society for the Public Good). For more than 30 years, you served as its secretary, devoting your utmost strength and devotion to this institution.
For more than 30 years, you ran the nursery school. Through your dedication, it has become what it is today. We shall sorely miss you there as well. Yet we will not lose heart, but will continue to walk in your footsteps, hoping to do so with your life’s motto: Excelsior, excelsior!
Once again, our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Department, also on behalf of the children of the nursery school who have now grown into adulthood, and on behalf of the parents of the children for all the kindness you have shown. We would no longer wish to be without the institution founded by you. Sleep peacefully!”
Visibly moved, Mr Ten Dam then thanked everyone, also on behalf of his niece, including the workmen who had paid their final respects to the unforgettable deceased.
De Nieuwe Aaltensche Courant, 2 July 1920
