Marten Westerhof was born on 10 February 1859 in Ossenzijl, Overijssel. His parents were labourer Luite Westerhof and former servant Marrigje Hoogstede.
Hendrika Scheer was born on 19 November 1859 in Zuidveen, Overijssel. Her parents were farmer Marten Scheer and Aaltje van Eerde. They moved to Friesland when Hendrika was a child.
Marten and Hendrika married on 31 March 1883 in Weststellingwerf, Overijssel. Marten worked as a labourer. They had nine children and lived in Blankenham, Overijssel. Marten's mother also lived with them.
Marten died in Blankenham on 2 September 1906 aged 47. Hendrika never remarried and worked as a cleaner. She was assaulted on 5 October 1908 during a neighbourhood dispute. Hendrika died on 28 September 1925 aged 65.