Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1864, Herman Ratzlaff came to Barnes County with his father, Carl Ratzlaff, in 1879. With them came his mother and three other children. The family settled in Cuba Township, where Carl purchased two quarters of land. '

Herman Ratzlaff, in due time, was married to Georgine Peterson, who had migrated from Norway and had worked for a family in Valley City.

To this union were born five children: Ida (January 17, 1887), a teacher; Clara; Minnie (April 27, 1890), also a teacher; Lottie (Mrs. Charles Kyle); Carl, born October 27, 1895, a professor of Economics, who is now deceased.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 201