Otto E. Retzlaff was born in Iowa in 1876, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Retzlaff. They moved to Cooperstown in 1881 where he received his education and later helped his dad in the butcher shop in Cooperstown, then later on the farm presently owned by Clinton Solberg in Clearfield Township.
He married Helena Steffen, daughter of William and Elizabeth Steffen, in 1905 and homesteaded near Ray, North Dakota in Williams County. In 1907, his happiness was marred with the passing away of Helena when twins were born; only one of whom (Helen) survived and was brought to live with her grandparents the William Steffens.
Otto sold his farm that fall and returned to the Cooperstown area, where he worked on the "Van Vooris'' Farm buying cattle and horses and about 1909 bought the Livery Stable in Cooperstown.
In 1911, he went to Jessie where he purchased a machine business and operated it. In 1914, he was hired as manager of the Farmers Elevator, continuing there until his resignation in 1945 because of failing health.
He married Mary Ann McCook in 1914 and they lived in Jessie until 1949 when they moved to Cooperstown. He passed away in 1952. Mrs. Retzlaff passed away in 1956.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 462