Writting on the back of the original photograph (Kurz Photography) from Marianne (Martens/Van Stralen) Lantis great granddaughter of John Martens, Milbank SD.

"Milbank SD. June 1906 (Picture that appeared in the Remarkable Family - Martens article in the De Pere Paper on January 5, 1915. This picture was taken in the summer of 1906 at Green Bay, WI. The oldest of the family, Math Martens is aged 76 when this picture was taken and the youngest is age 63. All but the oldest came to Green Bay 1850. The oldest brother having come the year before in 1849. Math Martens at present lives in Creston, IA. John Martens lives in Milbank SD, Arnold Martens lives in Chili, WI, and the balance of the family reside in Green Bay and De Pere WI where they landed 56 years ago. John Martens is in the middle of top row."

(Brown County Library Research Dept): Our research shows the Kurz and Nuss Photography studio was located at 215 N Washington Street from 1889 to 1893. In 1894, Albert Kurz opened his own studio at 210 Cherry Street in Green Bay and remained in business until 19ll. In 1916 the Stiller Photo Supply opened a business at 210 Cherry Street and remained at that location until 1972 after Stiller, that location became a men's clothing store and now I think it's a parking lot. That is as much history as we have on Kurz Photographers.

Newpaper Article that Accompanied this picture.

Top row: left to right, Math. Martens, aged 86; John Martens, 84; George (Girard) 82.

Lower Row: Left to right, Arnold Martens, aged 75; Mrs. Math Reynen, 72; Albert Martens, 77; Adrian (called John) 79.

A REMARKABLE FAMILY

The Martens Brothers and Sisters Combined Ages Totaled 555 Years Have 143 Living Descendants

De Pere claims as residents members of a very remarkable family. They are the Martens, Albert and Adrian, the latter better known as John. Up to two weeks ago they were two of a family of seven children who were still living. The combined ages of the seven totaled 555 years, or an average of 79 years each. This family came to De Pere with their parents in 1850, or sixty-five years ago, coming from Holland, where all were born. They resided in De Pere or immediate vicinity for many years, and then gradually scattered. The names, residences and ages of the seven are as follows: Math Martens, Creston, IA, aged 86; John of Milbank, SD, aged 84; George (Girard) of Coleman, aged 82; Adrian J., also known as John, of this city, aged 79; Albert of this city, aged 77; Arnold, who died at his home in Chili about two weeks ago, was aged 75; and Mrs. Math. Reynen of Green Bay, aged 72. Arnold Martens' death was the first among the family of children. These six brothers and one sister have a total of forty children, eighty-four grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren, or a grand total of 134 living descendants. Mrs. Reynen of Green Bay has nine children and twenty-one grandchildren; John of Milbank, SD has seven children and twenty-three grandchildren, and George (Girard) has eighteen grandchildren.

A shortened version of this same newspaper article and picture was in the Milwaukee Sentinel on January 9, 1916.

Information from: Ed Loefffen, Graslaan 23 I 6833 CD-Arnhem, The Netherlands, EM: E.Loeffen@net.HCC.nl

Lookups in the Beugen Census 1850-60 District: Hartwijk House #26

1. Martinus Martens: Head of household Date of Birth: 1795 Place of Birth: Beugen Religion: R. Catholic Occupation: House Painter Date of Departure: April 22, 1850 To: Green Bay (North America)

2. Geertrui Jansen-Wife

3. Gerardus Martens Date of Birth: 1834 Place of birth: Beugen Religion: R. Catholic Occ: House Painter apprentice

4. Marianus Martens, 1836, Beugen, Catholic, School Attendance

5. Hubertus Martens, 1838,same........

6. Arnoldus Martens, 1841, same........

7. Lambredina Martens, 1843, same.........

8. Mathijs Martens, no birth date, same........

9. Johannes Martens, no birth date

10. Theodorus Martens, head of household, Date of birth: 1812 Place of Birth: Cuyk Religion: Catholic Occupation: Labourer Date of departure: 23 april 1857 to St. Anthonis Noord Brabant in the Netherlands

11. Petronella Van Den Heuy - Wife Birthdate: 1822 Place of birth: Vierlingsbeek Religion: R. Catholic Occupation: female labourer Date of Departure: 23 April 1857 to St. Anthonis

12. Martinus Martens, April 8, 1851, Beugen, Catholic, no Occ, Depart: 23 April 1857

13. Johannes Martens, December 17, 1852, Beugen, Catholic, None, Depart Same

14. Johanna Martens, December 12, 1854, Beugen, Catholic, none, Depart: same

15. Maria Martens, November 5, 1856, Beugen, Catholic, None, Depart: same

#10 Theodorus Martens was Martinus Martens' (1795) brother. He and his wife and children lived all together in house #26 in Beugen until they left on April 23, 1857 to St. Anthonis (Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands).

Birth Certificates, Beugen: All signed by M. Martens, father #10: 5-3-1830: Mathijs, son of Martinus Martens (35 years-house painter) in Beugen and of Geertrui Janssen (28 years no occupation). Signed: M. Martens (father). #39: 22-12-1831 Johannes, son of Martinus Martens (36 years -house painter) in Beugen and of Gerrtrui Janssen (30 years, no occ.) #22: 11-5-1834: Gerardus, son of Martinus Martens (39 years of age-house painter) in Beugen and of Geertrui Janssen (30 years, no occ.). #33: 21-8-1836: Marianus, son of Martinus Martens and his wife Geertrui Janssen in Beugen. #29: 5-8-1838: Hubertus, son of Martinus Martens and Gertrui Jansen in Beugen. #14: 12-5-1841: Arnoldus, son of Martinus Martens (46 years-house painter) in Beugen and of Geertrui Jansen. #35: 23-9-1843: Lamberdina, daughter of Martinus Martens (48 years-house painter) and of Geertrui Jansen in Beugen.

Mathew=Mathijs /John = Johannes /Girard=Gerard (short for Gerardus) /Adrian John = Marianus /Albert = Hubertus /Arnold = Arnoldus /Adelia = Lamberdina