Jaan Zimmermann

Jaan Zimmermann
Zimmermann and his family in Karepa
Born(1880-05-04)May 4, 1880
Sangaste, Tõlliste Parish, Estonia
DiedApril 20, 1942(1942-04-20) (aged 61)
Vologda Oblast, USSR
NationalityEstonian
OccupationEntrepreneur

Jaan Zimmermann (May 4, 1880 – April 20, 1942) was an Estonian entrepreneur.[1]

Early life and education

Jaan Zimmermann was born in Sangaste, Tõlliste Parish,[2][3] the son of Kotre Zimmermann (1849–1929) and Juuli Zimmermann (née Lattik, 1850–1908). He graduated from the town school in Valga in 1896, and in 1908 he passed the civil service exam.[3]

Career

Zimmermann was the business manager of Military Hospital No. 2 in Tallinn during the Estonian War of Independence. In the early 1920s, Zimmermann founded a printing house, which operated at Lühike Jalg 4 in Tallinn until 1935.[3][4] In 1935 he sold the printing house, and in January 1936 he founded the car business J. Zimmermann & J. Mölder (with Johan Mölder as co-owner), which represented and sold Auburn, Willys, and Nash cars, as well as oils, engines, batteries, tires, refrigerators, typewriters, bicycles, radios, and more.[5]

From 1929 to 1933, Zimmermann was a member of the medium and small industry section of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. From 1926 to 1934, he was the chairman of the Estonian Automobile Club [et]. He was also a member of the Estonian Defense League (the head of Tallinn's Northern Defense Unit). From 1928 to 1935, Zimmermann was the publisher and editor of the magazine Auto [et] (from 1933 to 1934 Auto – Sport & Turism), the publication of the Estonian Automobile Club.[6]

Zimmermann was arrested by the Soviet occupation authorities on December 20, 1940. He died on April 20, 1942, as a result of a stroke in the barracks of the Vyatlag [et] NKVD prison camp in the Vologda Oblast according to the death certificate issued by the camp.

Zimmermann owned the Villa Dombrovka in Karepa, built by the Girard de Soucanton [et] noble family, which Zimmermann named Villa Metsarahu[7][8] (literally, 'forest peace').

Awards and recognitions

Family

Zimmermann married Juliane Künnapu (1878–?) and they had three children: their sons August (1906–1997) and Alfred (1912–1961), and their daughter Luise Johanna (1910–1946). Zimmermann's daughter-in-law (his son August's wife) was the singer Milvi Laid [et] (1906–1976).[12]

References

  1. ^ Taylor, Stephen (1935). Who's Who in Central and East-Europe, vol. 2. Zurich: Central European Times Publishing Company. p. 1105.
  2. ^ "Jaan Zimmermann". Uus Eesti. No. 119. May 3, 1939. p. 2. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "J. Zimmermann 60-aastane". Uus Eesti. No. 117. May 3, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Trükikoda J. Roosileht & Ko". Pealinna Teataja. No. 75. September 25, 1935. p. 6. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  5. ^ "J. Zimmermann & J. Mölder (1936–1941)". Eesti Antiikautode Galerii. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  6. ^ "Uus ajakiri - 'Auto'". Postimees. No. 115. April 29, 1928. p. 9. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  7. ^ Karine, Kadi; Taimre, Liisi (2012). Suvila "Villa Dombrovka" dokumenteerimine (PDF). Tallinn: EKA Muinsuskaitse- ja restaureerimise osakond. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "Resort Life in a Fishing Village". Villa Dombrovka. Karepa: Villa Dombrovka. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Bearers of Decorations". State Decorations. Office of the President of the Republic. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  10. ^ "Bearers of Decorations". State Decorations. Office of the President of the Republic. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Kuld- ja hõbemärke autoklubi liikmetele". Eesti Antiikautode Galerii. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Tedrekin, Hinke (November 21, 1990). "Otsimisi: August Zimmermann". Kodumaa. No. 46. p. 8. Retrieved June 12, 2024.