This record deals with a recent Dutch family, but one possessing the same elements of character that made their forefathers of three centuries ago such a valuable acquisition to the New World.
(II) John A. Zweeres was born in Zwolle, Holland, of an old Dutch family, and died at the age of eighty-nine years, being noted for his great strength. He married a Dutch girl who died in Holland, both being members of the Dutch Reformed church. They had eight children, only one of whom came to the United States. The family were well educated, and possessed of a comfortable income.
(III) John A. (2), son of John A. (1) Zweeres, was born in Zwolle, Holland, January 12, 1820, died in Albany, New York, December 3, 1888. He was well educated in the schools of his native city, and was especially proficient in his knowledge of French and German, branches that he taught prior to his coming to the United States in 1848. He was first in New York City, later going to Rochester, New York, where he was a teacher of languages in the city schools. While thus engaged he self-educated himself as an expert accountant. After teaching several years he became connected with the Albany Savings Bank. He later associated with John S. Perry & Company, stove manufacturers, in the capacity of expert accountant, with whom he remained for several years in most confidential relations. Later he was frequently called upon by banks and other institutions all over the state as an expert accountant. A few years before his death he retired from all active life. He was an active Republican and devoted to his party. For some years he was commissioner of deeds, and through his knowledge of foreign languages and known probity of character was much in demand for professional service. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church and active in its service.
He married (first) in Holland, Johanna Van Gumster, born in 1812, died in 1872 in Albany; came to the United States with her husband, son and daughter in 1848. They had seven children, of whom we record three:
- John, deceased, leaving sons and daughters.
- Adolph, resides in Rensselaer, married and has sons, Joseph and John.
- Gertrude, married John Whittnel, of Syracuse, New York; he was a member of the Albany fire department and met his death at a fire in that city by inhaling poisonous fumes.
John A. Zweeres returned to Rotterdam, Holland, where in 1878 he married (second) Dina Dieuwertje Koppenol, born in Uitgeest, in Province of North Holland, April 1, 1855. She attended the village school until she was twelve years of age, when her parents removed to Rotterdam, where her education was completed. She is a woman of rare force of character and has given her children all the benefits of education and placed them in self-sustaining, honorable stations in life. She is a resident of Albany, a member of the Dutch Reformed church as are all her children. She is the granddaughter of Cornelis Koppenol, born in the province of North Holland in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was a gardener and florist, and died in old age in his native village of Uitgeest where his family had lived for many generations. They were members of the Dutch church. He married Dieuwertje Schuttemaker, of the same village and province, where she died at the age of forty-five years. William was the son of Cornelis Koppenol, born at Uitgeest, North Holland, in 1828, died 1866. He followed the business of a florist and was a devout member of the Reformed church. He married, in Uitgeest, Elizabeth Niewenhwis, born in the same village, 1827, died in Albany, New York, April 2, 1905, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Zweeres. She was a lifelong member of the Dutch Reformed church, the daughter of Hendrick and Maria (Molennaar) Niewenhwis, a native of Zaandyck, province of North Holland. Hendrick was a millwright. He was a member of the Lutheran church, his wife a member of the Dutch Reformed. He died at the age of seventy-eight, his wife at forty-two. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Niewenhwis:
- Gerrit, married Elizabeth Delange; he died in the East Indies, she in Holland, leaving children.
- Maria, married Gerrit Braser, lived and died in Holland without leaving issue.
- Elizabeth, married (first) William Koppenol, and had an only child Dina, who married John A. Zweeres.
One year after the death of her first husband she married (second) Hendrick Gerritsen, born in Zuthphen, Holland, in 1819. He received a good education in his native city, where he was an officer of the customs. In 1890 he came to Albany with his wife, where he died in 1893, aged seventy-six years. There was no issue by the second marriage. His widow survived him until 1905. Children of John A. and Dina D. (Koppenol) Zweeres:
- John A. (3), born in Albany, New York, May 14, 1879, educated in the public schools of Albany, school of Mines at Rolla, Missouri, where he was graduated, class of 1906, M.E., resides in Albany, unmarried.
- Elizabeth, born March 7, 1882; married Nicholas Parris, resident of Albany. No issue.
- William K., born June 15, 1884; a graduate of Albany high school, now senior at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, class of 1911, civil engineering course.
- Sipriana, born April 4, 1886, died March 13, 1889.
- Abraham J., born January 1, 1889; a graduate of Albany high school, student of music under Professor Springer and Dr. Starnes, becoming a proficient performer on the pipe organ; will complete his studies in Paris, 1911; he is organist of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Albany.