Zwemer, Adrian, 1823-1910

ZWEMER, BOON, JANSE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-- Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, April 2, 1910:
(portions of the obituary, consisting largely of religious commentary and verses, were omitted)

Noted Minister Passes Away

The following refers to a minister who labored for five years at Middleburg in this county and whose daughterinlaw Mrs. Cynthia Zwemer lives in Alton. The article is taken from one of the Holland Michigan papers:

On Thursday afternoon near the hour of five in his home on Central Avenue in this city surrounded by a number of his children one of God’s honored servants the Rev. Adrian Zwemer after a long and eventful life entered into the joy of his Lord….

The Rev. Adrian Zwemer was born at Oost Kapelle Zeeland Netherlands February twelfth 1823 and emigrated to America in 1849 in the company of one hundred and fifty families who were under the care of the Rev. H. G. Klyn. Mr. Zwemer settled in Rochester New York and became an elder in a Holland Presbyterian church. In 1858 when the pulpit became vacant he suggested the transfer of this church to the Reformed church in America which was accomplished and it joined the Classis of Geneva.

In 1855 at the age of thirty-two he came to Holland Michigan—entered the academy and under the instruction of Rev. John Van Vleek prepared for the gospel ministry. He was licensed by the Classis of Holland April fourteenth and ordained April eighteenth 1858. He served the following churches: Vriesland Michigan 56-68, South Holland Illinois 68-70, Milwaukee Wisconsin 70-73, Albany New York 73-76, Graafschaap Michigan 76-86, Middleburg Iowa 86-91, and Spring Lake Michigan 91-98. In 1898 he became emeritus and since then has resided in Holland with two of his daughters…. Since his retirement he occasionally preached in the churches….

Twenty-four years ago he and his children mourned the sad loss of a beloved wife and faithful mother. The Rev. Zwemer was a man of native ability, deep piety, rich in spiritual experience and above all an earnest and faithful and effective preacher of the gospel…. He was deeply interested in the institutions of the church and frequently by voice and pen endeavored to promote their welfare. He was an instructive writer on practical religion and numerous articles from his pen found their way into the religious weeklies. He possessed considerably the poetic gift and frequently cheered and comforted others by his verses. Some of the best things in him have found utterance in his poems….

Four of his five sons and one of the three sons in law – Rev. A. H. Strabbing – became ministers of the gospel. Two of them—Frederick—a pioneer missionary in the Dakotas and Peter—missionary to Arabia—went before him into the better land while James—professor in the Theological Seminary at Holland and Dr. Samuel M., founder of the Arabian Mission—are in the full vigor of splendid service. A daughter—Nellie—has been for twenty years a missionary in China….

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An obituary (in Dutch) in De Volksvriend, March 24, 1910, adds the following information

He died at age 87 after a long decline. He was born in Zeeland, became an auxiliary teacher in Oost Kapelle, was converted to the Lord, and joined the Secessionists, as they were called at the time. At the age of 18 or 19 he was conscripted into the military. Then he obtained a substantial position (aanzienlijke betrekking) at Middelburg. In 1849 he emigrated to America with Rev. H. G. Klijn, but stayed in Rochester, where he married Katharina Boon, worked as a painter and wallpaper hanger, and was an Elder in the Reformed church.

Under the direction of Revs. Van der Meulen and Van Raalte he went to Holland, Mich., to prepare for the ministry at the school there. In 1858 he was confirmed as such in the Vreesland, Mich. church. After that he served at South Holland, Ill., Milwaukee, Wis., Albany, N.Y., Graafschap, Mich., Middleburg, Iowa, and Spring Lake, Mich. He retired in 1898 and spent his last years in Holland [Mich.]. His eldest daughter lovingly nursed him. Five of his children have devoted themselves to church work, three abroad and two in this country, and one younger daughter is a teacher.

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Briefer obituary notices (in Dutch) in De Volksvriend (March 24) and the Nieuwsblad Voor Orange City (March 30) list his children and in-laws and their residences:
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Zwemer, Holland, Michigan
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Zwemer, missionary in Arabial but currently in this country
Miss Maude Zwemer, Holland, Michigan
Mr. and Mrs. B. Neerken, Zeeland [Michigan?]
Mrs. Anna K. Zwemer (daughter-in-law)
Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Strabbing, Sheboygan, Wis.
Mr. and Mrs. Sye Joldersma, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mrs. Cynthia G. Zwemer (daughter-in-law)
Miss Nellie Zwemer, missionary in Amoy, China
Miss Henrietta Zwemer, Holland, Michigan

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate adds his father, Jacobus Zwemer; died at 5 p.m. March 17, 1910, cause, “old age.”

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index record for Adriaan Zwemer, born 12 Feb 1823 in Oostkapelle, Zeeland; parents Jacob Zwemer and Neeltje Janse.

FindaGrave.com shows him buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland, Mich., and includes photos of him, his headstone, and the Zwemer family stone. Wife Catharina Boon Zwemer (1826-1886); nine children with their birth and death dates are listed