Peter Recktenwald, son of Nicholas Recktenwald and Elizabeth Weiand, was born on 8 May 1854 in Long Grove, Lake County, Illinois. In 1861 Peter's family moved to Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. Here Peter's parents bought a small farm near Little Six. About 1868 they moved to St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota for about a year and a half. "In 1869 the family moved to Todd County [Minnesota]. At that time the whole region was not far advanced from its primitive state…. In Todd County, Peter Recktenwald grew to manhood on his father's homestead in Hartford." (Todd County Histories)

In 1873, Peter's father, Nicholas, contracted pneumonia and passed away. "The task of providing for the large family fell to the lot of Peter who was then the oldest at home. [John was in Chicago and Nicholas Jr. was only 13.] Then only eighteen, Peter took his responsibilities seriously." (Peter & Katherine (Delsing) Recktenwald, Minnesota Pioneers, 1950, Lester Nicholas Recktenwald, page 8) Another source, The Mount on the Prairie, provides more details: "Difficulties encountered on the Recktenwald farm during those early settlement years included having to break virgin ground, marketing wheat by wagon to Motley, bad roads, and the 1876 locust invasion….The locust invasion thrust many local farmers into poverty. The Recktenwalds tied burlap sacks around their feet in the winter. Shoes were not affordable and also unavailable….On one occasion, before the railroad was built, Peter walked 60 miles to St. Cloud to obtain food and supplies."

Peter, disciplined and serious, was aptly described by his son, Lester: "Through these difficult times, Peter grew into manhood. He was tall and slender and was called 'Tamarack Pole' by many of his friends. This type of life hardened him physically and disciplined him mentally. In taking part in the responsibilities for caring for the family after his father's death, he developed on the serious side." (Peter & Katherine (Delsing) Recktenwald, Minnesota Pioneers, op. cit., page 11)

On October 26, 1880, Peter (age 26) married Katherine Delsing (age 21), daughter of Franz Delsing and Maria Kürth (of Echt, Limburg, Netherlands), at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie, Todd County, Minnesota. "Soon thereafter, they built a log house, preparatory to farming forty acres adjoining the Delsing farm [near Long Prairie]. Two children were born in this prairie home: Albert and Aurelia, and ambitions for a larger farm became uppermost. Peter negotiated for 120 acres four miles north without buildings or equipment of any kind. This tract of land was practically undeveloped. Together, Peter and Katherine tore down the prairie log house and rebuilt it on the new land [southeast of Browerville]….Between the years 1885 to 1891, three children were born: Dorothea, Ann and William." (Peter & Katherine (Delsing) Recktenwald, Minnesota Pioneers, op. cit., page 29)

"In 1891 he purchased a dray line in this village [Long Prairie] and they left the farm, moving here. Two years later, Mr. Recktenwald leased his dray business and moved back to the farm, where they remained two years. They then moved back to town, remaining here two and a half years. Mr. Recktenwald sold his dray business and again they went back to the farm [in Browerville]…." (Todd County Argus, 2 November 1905) Two children were born between 1894 and 1897 (Veronica and Raymond). One of their older children, Anna (age 8), died from peritonitis in 1896.

In 1898, the rebuilt log house burned. A new two-story house was built with parlor, dining room, and four bedrooms. Lester was born here in 1902. Subsequently, two more children died from peritonitis – William (age 17) in 1908 and Veronica (age 18) in 1912.

The Recktenwalds had earned the community's respect and were recognized as: "… a good substantial family and they bore their full share of burdens and contributed their full share to the service of the new country." (Todd County Histories) In 1905, the Recktenwalds were surprised with a party celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary. The details were reported on 2 November 1905 in the Todd County Argus: "Married 25 years. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Recktenwald Surprised on their Silver Wedding. Last Thursday, October 26th, was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Recktenwald, old and highly respected residents of Hartford township. But as far as they were concerned it was to pass quietly as any ordinary day on the farm—looking after the many daily duties about the home. However, their many friends thought differently and planned a nice little surprise for them which worked beautifully. Mr. Recktenwald was busy plowing on a forty a couple of miles from his home when several loads drove by. He noticed them go by, but had no idea of what was in the air, thinking they were on their way to the neighbors for a visit. At dusk Peter unhitched and came home, where he found the house full of guests. It then dawned upon him what was up and to say that he and his estimable wife were surprised would be putting it mildly. After supper more guests arrived and the large, roomy house was packed full. The hours of the evening were pleasantly passed in a good social time and refreshments were served. The guests remained until the wee small hours of the morning when they took their departure, wishing Mr. and Mrs. Recktenwald many happy returns of the day and that they might be spared to enjoy a ripe old age filled with many blessings and unalloyed happiness…. Mr. and Mrs. Recktenwald are both among the county's oldest settlers, Mr. R. coming to the county in 1869 with his parents. They have one of the best farms in Hartford."

On 18 February 1922, Peter Recktenwald (age 67) died at Browerville. His obituary reads: "Peter Recktenwald, one of the prominent residents of this vicinity, died very suddenly at his home Saturday noon. He had been doing some chores in the yard and entered the house, when he complained of not feeling well and lay down for a time. When Mrs. Recktenwald went to call him for dinner she found that he was dead. The funeral was held yesterday morning from St. Peter's Catholic church in Browerville and interment was in the cemetery of that church [cemetery now named Christ the King]…. Mr. Recktenwald enjoyed an unusually wide acquaintance all through central Todd county. He was an excellent citizen, good neighbor and kind friend. All who knew him esteemed him. His sudden death came as a great shock to the community and all join in extending sympathy to the bereaved family." (Long Prairie Leader, February 23, 1922)

Peter's widow, Katharine, spent her remaining years in Hibbing, St. Louis County, Minnesota living with her son, Raymond. Katharine (age 79) died on 21 November 1938. Peter and Katherine are interred at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery in Browerville alongside their children, William and Veronica.
Bio by K. O'Brien