Cornelius W. and Henry A. Martens Biography


	This biography appears on pages 195-196 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				CORNELIUS W. AND HENRY A. MARTENS.  

	Cornelius W. and Henry A. Martens are successfully engaged in the 
general real-estate business in Milbank. They are the sons of John and 
Theodora (Tillemans) Martens' both natives of Holland, born 
respectively in 1829 and 1832. The paternal grandfather, Martin 
Martens, who was a painter by trade and also followed agricultural 
pursuits, died in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The maternal grandfather passed 
away in Holland. In 1850 John Martens came to the United States and 
settled in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Subsequently he turned his attention 
to farming and still later entered the hotel business. In 1878 he came 
to South Dakota and took up a homestead, on which he is still living. 
His political belief is that of the democratic party and he is active 
in public affairs. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic 
church. His wife passed away in 1913. They were married in 1857 and 
became the parents of nine children, seven of whom survive: M. P., who 
resides in Colgan, North Dakota, and is employed in a store; Cornelius 
W. and Henry A.; Joseph A., who is living in Seattle, Washington; Frank 
J., who is residing on land belonging to his father; Albert W., on the 
home farm; and Mary G., the wife of A. Vanstralen, likewise residing 
upon the homestead.  

	Cornelius W. Martens was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the 
21st of January, 1860, and received his general education in the school 
conducted by the Sisters of Notre Dame in Green Bay and also took a 
course in the Green Bay Business College, from which he graduated in 
1879. For three years he worked at the printer's trade and then removed 
to South Dakota and assisted his father with the work of developing his 
claim. In 1888 he was elected register of deeds, an office which he 
held for four years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm, which 
he operated until 1897, when he entered the Farmers Bank at Milbank. He 
remained with that institution for eight years. In 1904, in partnership 
with his brothel Henry A., he embarked in the real-estate business in 
Milbank and they have been accorded a liberal patronage and have gained 
an enviable reputation in local business circles. They buy and sell 
outright and also on commission. They own personally much city real 
estate and in connection with his brother he holds title to many acres 
of land in Grant and Roberts counties.  

	Cornelius W. Martens was married on the 8th of February, 1888, at 
Big Stone, South Dakota, to Mary J. Walsh, a native of Minnesota. They 
have become the parents of eleven children, namely: William J., who is 
in the lumber business in Webster, South Dakota; Winnie T., at home; 
Francis M., who is connected with a garage at Webster; Margaret M., who 
completed the nurses' training course at the Mercy Hospital in Chicago 
this year; Irene H. who is a student in the Aberdeen State Normal 
College; Agnes E., Catherine and John E., all attending high school; 
Alice and Grace M., both of whom are students; and Mary P.  

	Henry A. Martens was born in Green Bay on the 3d of February, 
1863, and was educated in the schools of his native city. On starting 
out on his independent business career he followed the printer,s trade 
but later engaged in the abstract business. He was also at one time 
deputy register of deeds. Since 1904 he has been engaged in the real-
estate business in partnership with his brother Cornelius W.  

	Henry A. Martens was married in October, 1893, to Miss Agatha 
Baxter, of Minneapolis, and their two children are: James, ten years of 
age; and Henry, a child of five years. Both Cornelius W. and Henry A. 
Martens are democrats in politics, belong to the Knights of Columbus 
and hold membership in the Roman Catholic church. They are much 
interested in everything that relates to the development of their 
community and cooperate in all movements which seek to promote the 
expansion and growth of Milbank. Both possess excellent business 
ability and the success which they have achieved is the result of their 
own energy, initiative and good management.