Otto’s parents were David and Mary Hoenke. They were one of the earliest settlers of Plevna, Montana.Otto was born on March 15th 1895 in South Dakota. Otto’s parents had eight children. They had four sons, Rudolf, Otto, Arthur, and Garhardt, and four daughters. Their names were Ida, Alma, Adeena, and Helen. Otto married Harriet Freeman. They had three children together. Their names were Arnold, Gloria, and Deloris. There was a nine year difference between the couple. Harriet was born in 1909. When Arnold was born, Otto was 33 and Harriet was 24. Otto was a resident of Prairie Park, Fallon, MT. In March of 1916, Otto made a homestead claim No. 028687 for lots 1,2,3, and 4, S ½ NE ¼, S ½ NW ¼. Township 005N R58E Sect 2. He had to file notice of intention to make 3 year proof, so he could establish claim to the land. The homestead was on the south side of Ismay towards Willard. Otto passed away in 1979 and was buried in Bonneville Cemetery, north of Baker. In 1991 his wife Harriet died and was buried next to him. Arnold, Otto’s son, sold the farm and moved to Baker, Montana. Where he lived until he died in 2016. He was buried behind his parents in Bonneville Cemetery.
All of Otto’s siblings got married except for one of his brothers. The brother that didn't get married was the youngest of all eight of them.He worked in and around Plevna for many years. Then later in his life he moved to Baker. He lived in Baker until he died.
Otto Hoenke was my great-great grandfather. Arnold Hoenke was my great grandfather. My grandmother is Judy (Hoenke) Janz and my father is Joe Janz.