Albert Retzlaff Family

Michael Retzlaff (1819-1896) was born at Pommern, Prussia.  He married and had six sons:

  1. Henry
  2. William
  3. Julius
  4. Ferdinand
  5. Charles
  6. Herman  

Their mother died.  In 1861 he married Wilhelmina Brock.  To this union five children were born: 

  1. August (1862-1963)
  2. Albert (1866-1950)
  3. Elizabeth
  4. Orrie
  5. Max

The three youngest died at an early age.

Michael and his family immigrated to St. Ansgar, Iowa in 1872 and to Griggs County in 1881.

August and Albert taught country schools.  In 1892 they homesteaded west of Cooperstown.

Albert married Otelia Fenner.  She was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and came to Griggs County with her parents Ferdinand and Carolin Fenner.  During the years Albert and Otelia lived on the homestead west of Cooperstown, nine children were born:

(1) Alfred married Julia Bendickson.  Their children were: 

  1. Carrol married Shirley Watne, their children: 
    1. Wayne
    2. Rollin
    3. James  
  2. Marvin married Neva Thorn, their children: 
    1. Robin
    2. Julie
    3. Jody

(2) Irene married Carl Rickford, he died and she married Howard Dodson.  Children: 

  1. Enid

(3) Arnold married Alice Anderson, granddaughter of Elling Johnson.  Children: 

  1. Virginia
  2. Donald  
Arnold died young.

(4) Esther married Henry Beck.  Children: 

  1. Donna
  2. Carl

(5) Eva married Robert Truscott, children: 

  1. Dean

(6) Alma married Gordon Brown, children: 

  1. Harold
  2. Ray

(7) Max married Elizabeth Mulroy.  Children: 

  1. John and Geffrey

(8) Lilas married Dr. Richard Dock.  Children: 

  1. Sharon
  2. John
  3. Darrel

(9) Reynold married Mabel Knutson.  Children: 

  1. Dianne
  2. Bonnie
  3. Gregory

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 261