Johann Matthias Schroeter

Johann Matthias Schroeter
Born	(1860-11-24)24 November 1860 Cologne, Kingdom of Prussia
Died	9 September 1955(1955-09-09) (aged 94) Overschie, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Occupation	Mechanical draftsman
Years active	1895–1935
Era	Stamvader Era Pre-Vader Era Vader Era Middenvader Era
Spouse	Neeltje van der Kooij ​ ​ (m. 1914)​
Children	Hendrik Matthias Schroeter
Parents	Matthias Schroeter (father) Elisabeth Breuer (mother)
Relatives	Josef Schroeter (brother)
Family	Schroeter family

Johann Matthias Schroeter (24 November 1860 – 9 September 1955) was a German mechanical draftsman who worked for the Schroeter Metaal en Lood Fabriek and later Schroeter Traktoren in the Netherlands. He joined Schroeter Traktoren in 1902 and remained with the company until his retirement in 1935, preparing technical drawings for its agricultural machinery and trucks.

Early life

Schroeter was born in Cologne on 24 November 1860 to Matthias Schroeter and Elisabeth Breuer. His father operated an undertaking business from a workshop adjoining the family home. Johann Matthias had a younger brother, Josef Schroeter, who was born in 1865.

After completing elementary schooling, Schroeter apprenticed as a machine fitter in Cologne from approximately 1875 to 1879. In 1880, he began studying at the mechanical-technical department of the Gewerbliche Fachschule der Stadt Köln, where he received instruction in mechanical drawing and the mathematics used in machinery design.

Career

In late 1895, aged 35, Schroeter moved to the Netherlands after relatives invited him to work at the Schroeter Metaal en Lood Fabriek. He worked there as a mechanical draftsman until the factory closed in 1902. He then joined Schroeter Traktoren, which Ferdinand Schroeter had founded that year in Stolwijk.

At Schroeter Traktoren, Johann Matthias prepared working drawings from Ferdinand's sketches and revised them when machinery designs changed. He remained with the company when its main factory moved to Rotterdam in 1912 and settled in nearby Overschie. Following the introduction of the PLM.II truck in 1914, he worked on revisions to its technical drawings.

Between 1920 and 1922, Schroeter prepared working drawings for the Wervelwerker tractor, introduced in 1921. He later worked on production drawings for the TM27 truck in 1927, recording mechanical revisions made during its development. He continued working full-time until his retirement in 1935, when Ferdinand arranged a modest company pension in recognition of his employment since 1902.

Personal life

After moving to Overschie in 1912, Schroeter met Neeltje van der Kooij, a seamstress born in the municipality in 1871. She lived near his house, and the two began spending time together on walks through Overschie and along the Schie. They became a couple in 1913 and married in 1914. Neeltje moved into Johann Matthias's house and continued taking sewing orders from local residents. Their son, Hendrik Matthias Schroeter, was born in Overschie in 1915.

In early 1923, Schroeter made occasional journeys to Cologne to visit his elderly parents and buy provisions for them. His brother Josef handled their everyday purchases between visits. Their father died on 3 May 1923. Johann Matthias encouraged Hendrik to continue his education and helped him with arithmetic and written Dutch.

Johann Matthias and Neeltje remained in Overschie after his retirement and lived there throughout the German occupation of the Netherlands. In 1946, they moved to a smaller house because maintaining their previous home had become difficult. Hendrik helped arrange the move.

Death

Schroeter's health declined during the final months of his life, and he gradually lost mobility. His family cared for him at home in Overschie, where he died on 9 September 1955, aged 94. He was buried at Begraafplaats Hofwijk.

See also

• Schroeter family members