Among the nuns ministering to the sick, arduously hurrying around the sodden, clay soil from one wounded person to another, there is also Maria Clementine Martin. She takes care of wounded soldiers from both of the opposing sides, using her tremendous knowledge of the effect of individual plants. For her great dedication she receives from His Highness King Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia not only the highest recognition but also an annual pension of 160 golden talers.

In 1825 Maria Clementine Martin arrives in Cologne, where she is to care for Gumpertz, the 86-year old vicar of the cathedral. Just as in other cities, so too here, in accordance with her convent education and Christian concept of duty, she becomes involved in nursing the sick and taking care of the poor.

The annual pension of 160 golden talers allows her to found her own company at the foot of the cathedral in 1826. In the Commercial Register of the City of Cologne she registers her workshop under the name “Maria Clementine Martin Klosterfrau".

In November 1829 Maria Clementine Martin requests from the Prussian King Frederick William III the right to use the Prussian symbol on the labels of her products; she receives permission that same year. In 1831 Maria Clementine Martin registers this exclusive commercial mark with the Council of Industrial Experts of the City of Cologne; thus protected against potential imitators, she sets up her first shops in Bonn, Aachen, and even in distant Berlin.

Maria Clementine Martin dies on September 9, 1843, lauded by the entire city. She is buried in the Melaten cemetery. Large crowds of Cologne residents take part in the funeral ceremony.

1852	in Duesseldorf		1867	in Paris
1853	in New York		1873	in Vienna
1855	in Paris		1879	in Sydney
1862	in London		1880	in Melbourne