Franz W. Martens (1869–1942)
1930–[19-].
1.5 cm textual material.
Biographical sketch
Franz Martens, a Mennonite elder, was born in Hutterthal near Melitopol, South Russia. In 1872, the family moved to Sagradovka and settled in the village of Orloff. Martens was a public school teacher for 17 years, and chairman of the district school board for 17 years. He married Katherina Zacharias in 1891, was elected minister of the Nikolaifeld Mennonite Church in 1894, and elder in 1902. His attempts to reform the traditional church practice in regards to baptism, communion and church discipline led to his resignation from the Nikolaifeld church and the founding of the Orloff Evangelical Mennonite Church in 1907, of which he was elder until 1924 when the family left for Canada. Eventually, the family settled in Blumenort, Saskatchewan where Martens worked as a farmer and preacher. Katherina died in 1929; in 1930 Martens married a widow, Mrs. Heinrich Reimer who died in 1940 after which Martens married another widow, Mrs. Peter Penner. In 1942, they moved to Ontario and Martens died in Kitchener that same year.
Excerpts from Mennonite Encyclopaedia
Scope and content
The Franz W. Martens fonds consists primarily of Martens’ recollections of Russia and of genealogical material. Most of the documents are in the German Gothic script.
Custodial history
The green diary in this fonds was brought to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in February, 1986 by grandson Neil Funk of Elm Creek who still retains ownership. The paper “Family History” was written by great-grandson David Funk in 1986, for a Mennonite Studies Course at Mennonite Brethren Bible College.
Notes
- Volume 1012.
- Title based on contents of fonds.
- Accession number is 1986–11.
- Finding aid: Small collections M, file 11.
File list
Volume 1012
- 11:1 “Chronologische Aufzeichnungen aus meinem Leben.” A green hardcover diary by Franz W. Martens, Blumenort Saskatchewan, 1935. Part one is an annual entry for the years 1869–1934. Part two is a family register.
- 11:2 Original and photocopy of Wilhelm Martens register (1792–1881).
- 11:3 Correspondence. – 1938. Genealogy of Martens family.
- 11:4 Franz W. Martens naturalization certificate. – 1930.
- 11:5 Franz W. Martens’ obituary taken from the Zionsbote 17 March 1943.
- 11:6 “Family History” by David Funk, about Franz W. Martens and his son-in-law John J. Funk. – 1990.
