Bernardus Vixeboxen (1850-1915)

Bernardus was born on 6 Mar 1850, eldest son of Bernardus Vixeboxen and Jenneke Lulof (and no, he was not named after his father, but after his grandfather Bernardus Vixeboxen (dutch link), who had been named after his grandfather. There has been a steady stream of Bernarduses ever since). He is my third cousin 3x removed.

Bernardus and Jenneke Lulof had 4 sons: Bernardus (1850), Gerrit Willem, Jan, and Johannes Egbertus, and a daughter Jenneke. Three became architects; their father had been a carpenter and builder. Only Jan became a book-keeper, maybe to keep the books of the business? He died after 8 years of marriage in 1890. Brother Johannes E. goes to South Africa with his to be wife Anna Margaretha Witzand, and they have two children there: one was legitimized at the marriage of the parents (Jenneke, b. 18 Mar 1894 in Cape Town), and for one I found a family notice:

Notice: Gave birth to a daughter 14 Jan. 1893: A. M. Vixseboxse, b. Witzand, in Bloemfontein. (Apparently this one died before 1902, as only Jenneke was legitimized)

It is unclear to me why they did not marry before they left for South Africa; they had known each other their whole life, on top of being 4th cousins.

Gerrit Willem ends up in Amsterdam at some point, and also becomes an architect. He designed several churches among others the Muiderkerk  (see image. click on ‘Toon info, to see more information (in dutch))

But Bernardus stayed in Almelo, married Jenneken van Laar, and they have three sons (at least that’s all I found until today. I am not too keen on entering these n-times removed relationships, esp. as they run into the 20th century. Those data are so easy to find, it seems a waste of time and effort). Eldest son Bernardus married Aleida Prinsen (his 4th cousin), and becomes, you guessed it, an architect. Young Bernardus must have been a progedy: at age 17 he made the architectural drawings for the Groote Societeit  (a Gentlemen’s club) in Almelo. They had had a building since 1816, but it was in such bad shape, that it was decided to build a new one. Apparently, the fact that they hired an architect, caused a schism among the board of directors. The building opens in 1895.⁽¹⁾

Second son Willem went to Ohio and opened an art gallery. At least, I thought it was him, but a small article from Case-Western University states he came from his native Rotterdam. The gallery was located at various places in Cleveland, and googling “Vixseboxse art galleries” comes up with lots and lots of images.

The last son Marinus Aleidus was also an architect, he married in Soest in 1919. Apparently there was another brother Jan, also an architect, who was a witness at Marinus’ wedding.

Johannes Egbertus wsa quite popular in South Africa, and there are lots of links to find more information. He does stay in Almelo after his marriage.

If you are really interested, there is plenty to find. I just find this dynasty of architects amusing.

(1) Historie van de Heeren Societeit (dutch only.
(2) Vixseboxse Gallery (Case-West. Univ.  Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, online)