Henry W. Hunke(2), born February 9, 1877 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana, the son of John Hunke(1) and Augusta (------) Hunke, immigrants from Prussia, Germany. Before 1880 the family moved to Minnesota, and Henry's father died (whether before or after the move is not known). About 1882 his mother married August Zodrow, who became Henry's stepfather. Little is known of Henry's early years or education, except that he was illiterate, a situation that later may well have been rectified. The varying later spellings of the family name may perhaps be attributable to this, or there might have been an intentional change from Hunke to Hunkey. The name has been encountered in both versions in reference to Henry, his wife, and his descendants.

In 1900 the Zodrows were living on a mortgaged farm in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota. Henry had left home by this time.

He married, March 29, 1900 in Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota, Anna Clara Mautasch (Annie). Her middle name has also been recorded as Mary. The ceremony was performed by J. H. Montgomery, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses were Henry's sister Lena, herself soon to be married, and E. N. Baker. Anna was born November --, 1875 or November 12, 1876, in Bohemia, the daughter of Frank Mautasch and Annie (Zommons) Mautasch, Bohemian German parents. Their family name has also been recorded as Moutsh, Montash and Montosh. She emmigrated to America, presumably with her parents, in 1887 or 1888. There she learned and became literate in English.

Children:

  1. Arthur Hunkey, born November 6, 1900 in Wadena County, Minnesota. His name has also been recorded as Edward. Died January 13, 1901 in Wadena County, Minnesota.
  2. Clara Lena Hunkey, born November 2, 1901 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota.
  3. Frances Mary Hunkey, born November 7, 1902 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota.
  4. Mabel Annie Hunke, born July 2, 1904 in Wadena County, Minnesota.
  5. Anne S----- Hunkey (Annie), born September 18, 1905 in Wadena County, Minnesota.
  6. Paul Henry Hunkey, born April 12, 1908 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota.
  7. Henry Edward Hunkey, born March 26, 1910 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota.
  8. William John Hunke, born July 30, 1912 in Minnesota.
  9. Josephine Augusta Hunke, born ------ --, 1913 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota. Died May 3, 1915 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota.
An additional child may have been another Josephine Hunkey, who died September 25, 1916 in Wadena County, Minnesota.

The Hunkes settled in Leaf River Township, Wadena County, Minnesota, where Henry rented a farm.

By 1910 the Hunkes had moved back to Rockwood Township, where they lived on a rented farm, perhaps the one owned by the Zodrows in 1900. If this was the case Henry may have been renting it from them, as his mother and stepfather no longer lived in Wadena County. Clara and Frances were both attending school.

Clara and Frances both appear to have left home before 1920.

In 1920 the Hunkes lived on a farm owned free of mortgage in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota. Henry's occupation was given as farmer on a general farm. Mabel, Annie, Paul, and Henry Edward were attending school.

Henry was said to be living "in the east" in 1924, when his mother died in California, and in Minnesota at the time of his sister's death in 1941.

Henry died May 8, 1952 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota, and was buried in the Hunkey family section of Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota. His grave bears a marker with the following inscription:


Photo by Kevin and Wanda McDonald. Used by permission.

Henry's widow Anna Clara died July 17, 1956 in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota, and was buried in the Hunkey family section of Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota. Her grave bears a marker with the following inscription:


Photo by Kevin and Wanda McDonald. Used by permission.

From Jan. 1, 2005 revision.
Posted Sep. 5, 2003.
Updated Apr. 2, Aug. 17, Sep. 10, 14, 17, Oct. 28, Nov. 15, 2004, Jan. 1, 24, 2005.