Hero Schomerus

Hero Schomerus (24 August 1816 – 25 September 1856) was a military and colonial administrator, who made a career in the administration on the Dutch Gold Coast.

Hero Schomerus
Governor of the Dutch Gold Coast
In office
21 September 1852 – 25 September 1856
Preceded byAnthony van der Eb
Succeeded byPetrus Jacobus Runckel
Personal details
Born(1816-08-24)24 August 1816
Emden, Kingdom of Hanover, German Confederation
Died25 September 1856(1856-09-25) (aged 40)
Elmina, Dutch Gold Coast
Spouse(s)Ellen Frij

Biography

Hero Schomerus was born in Emden to Johann Gerhard Schomerus and Johanna van Laar. His father was a ship broker (Dutch: cargadoor).[1]

Schomerus was appointed assistant in the administration of the Gold Coast by royal decree of 8 August 1845. He was promoted several times before he became governor ad interim of the Gold Coast in 1852, after governor Anthony van der Eb had died.[2] He was appointed full governor by royal decree of 20 January 1853.[3]

Apart from being a colonial official, Schomerus also acted as an agent for the Rotterdam-based firm H. van Rijckevorsel & Co.[2] During his time in office, the redoubt built on the Coebergh ("Cow Hill") in Elmina in the 1820s was reconstructed and reinforced. The new fort was completed in 1843 and later named Fort Schomerus.[4]

Schomerus died in office, on 25 September 1856.[2]

Personal life

Hero Schomerus married Ellen Frij, a "princess of Ashanti". They had three sons together.[2]

References
  1. "Militieregister. Registratie Heero Schomerus". Stadsarchief Amsterdam. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. Michel Doortmont. "Schomerus, Hero". GoldCoastDataBase. Retrieved 27 September 2013. (registration required)
  3. "Nederlanden". Nederlandsche staatscourant. The Hague. 23 January 1853. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  4. Van Dantzig 1999, p. 76.

Sources


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