Margaretha (Margaret), the third child of Nicholas Recktenwald and Elisabeth Weiand, was born 24 June 1852 in Long Grove, Lake County, Illinois. She was baptized on 16 September 1852 at St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove, Cook County, Illinois. Her baptismal sponsors were Margaretha Weidner & Joannes Weiand. At this time, St. Mary Parish was a missionary church with an itinerant priest. Margaretha’s baptism is recorded on the baptismal register at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wilmette, Cook County, Illinois. (Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths 1845-1862, Wilmette, St. Joseph, Image 46-47)

In 1861, when Margaret was about 9 years old, the Recktenwalds moved to Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. Here they bought a small farm near Little Six. About 7 years later, in 1868-1869, they then moved to St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota for about a year and a half. In 1869, when Margaret was about 16 years old, the family moved to a farm in Hartford Township, Todd County, Minnesota.

Apparently in the early 1870s, Margaret moved back to St. Cloud. On 6 October 1873, Margaret (age 21) married August Sielaff (age 24), son of Gottfried Sielaff and Eva Rosina Koenig, in St. Cloud, Stearns, Minnesota. (Minnesota Official Marriage System). Margaret & August had 3 children – August Peter (24 July 1875), Alvina Margaret (12 May 1877) and Mary E. (2 May 1884).

Between about 1875 until 1880, the Sieloff family was living in Rockford, Wright County, Minnesota. There August was in the business of manurfacturing wagons. Part of this time, Margaret’s sister, Anna, was living with them.

Sometime after 1880, the Sieloff family moved to Delano, Wright County, Minnesota. August went into business with Andrew Reider “…manufacturing and repairing buggies and sleighs at their place on North River Street.” (Delano Bicentennial Book, Delano Franklin Bicentennial Committee, 1976) August (age 36), died on 3 July 1886 in Delano. August died intestate and his estate was probated on 23 July 1886. According to his probate case file: “… said deceased has left him surviving his widow, Margareta Sieloff, and three children respectively August P. Sieloff, eleven years old, Alvina M. Sieloff, nine years old and Mary E. Sieloff, two years old.” August’s real estate was valued at twelve hundred dollars, and he possessed personal property valued at nine hundred dollars.

On 31 December 1893, daughter Mary (age 9) died. She was buried at Old St. Peter’s Cemetery in Delano.

Margaret retained a life interest in the Sieloff family home on River Street in Delano. In 1900, her two grown children were both working and living at home. By 1910, Alvina had married and her husband (Charles Stein) and their one-year-old son were also living in the family home. August moved out shortly after the 1910 census. Margaret and the Steins lived together until Margaret’s death.

Margaret (age 78) died on 20 December 1930, eight days after her daughter, Alvina (age 53), died. St. Cloud Times reported: “MRS. M. SIELOSS [Sieloff] DIES AT HOME IN DELANO FRIDAY. William Recktenwald, 101 Twelfth avenue south, received news of the death of his sister, Mrs. Margaret Sieloss [Sieloff] of Delano, this morning. Further details as to the cause of the death have not been secured. Mrs. Sieloss’ daughter, Mrs. Charles Stein died just a week ago. Mr. Recktenwald will leave for Delano tomorrow.” Margaret was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Delano in the Stein family plot. Her husband, August, had been buried back in 1886 in Mount Olive Lutheran Cemetery in Delano. As noted above, their young daughter, Mary, had been buried at Old St. Peter’s Cemetery in Delano.
Bio by K. O’Brien