Christian Lettenmaier was born in Bronelilte, Wurthenberg, Germany, October 14, 1861. He came to the United States in 1881. It took three months by sail boat for the trip. He landed in New York on his 20th birthday and joined his parents, seven brothers and three sisters in Waconia, Minnesota.

He worked on farms for a while and came to Valley City in 1883 where he also worked on farms and then took a homestead on a quarter of land in Heman Township which was seven miles southwest of Sanborn. He owned this farm the rest of his life. January of 1889 was very mild and he shingled the house in his shirt sleeves.

In 1888 he married Martha Zuelke of Valley City. They had six children: Caroline (Mrs. Sam Wolski), now deceased; Rose, (Mrs. Edw. Newman); Alfred married Christine Munz. They had four children; Anna, (Mrs. Wm. Newman). They had one son; Herbert married Elizabeth Froelich. They had six children; Friedericka Lettenmaier.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 141