Dorus Wheeler Hanks was born September 22, 1883 in Illinois to Thomas Price [Jr.] (b. Jackson County, Ohio to Thomas Price [Sr.] and Elviria Southard Hank) and Eliza Jane Hughes (b. Athens Colunty, Ohio to John and Lucinda Wheeler Hughes) Hanks. Thomas and Eliza were married 25 Aug 1870 in Athens County, Ohio, USA.

In 1880, Thomas and Eliza were living in Hamilton County, Illinois. Thomas was farming and Eliza was keeping house and caring for her children George and Gracy. After 1880, Thomas and Eliza moved to a farm southwest of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois, where they lived for several years. Thomas Hanks then bought the former Rex property east of Neoga, Illinois; it is known that Thomas Price Hanks, Jr. was a resident of Neoga for 43 years and he died 29 Jul 1928. Thomas and Eliza had three children, George A. Hanks (b. Ohio), Grace Estella Hanks (b. Illinois) and Doras Wheeler Hanks (b. Illinois).

A Birth Certificate/Record was not found in Hamilton County, Illinois for Doras Wheeler Hanks. The Cumberland County Courthouse was completely destroyed in 1885 due to a fire. ALL vital documents were lost, therefore, no Birth Certificate/Record is available.

Note: Lucinda Wheeler Hughes was the grandmother of Doras and mother of Eliza Jane Hughes Hanks. Doras Wheeler Hanks was probably given this middle name because of his connection to the Wheeler family.

1900 U.S. Federal Census - Neoga Village, Cumberland, Illinois, USA
Household:
Thomas P Hanks (52)
Eliza J Hanks (48)
Dorus W Hanks (16) - Birth Date: Sep 1883 - Birth Place: Illinois - Occupation: At School - Can Read: Yes - Can Write: Yes - Can Speak English: Yes

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) 28 Feb 1906, Wed. Page 6

"Doris Hanks went this morning to Neoga, where he was called by the death of his little niece."

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) 28 May 1906, Mon. Page 6

"Tom Hanks of Neoga was in the city Saturday." A 2nd entry reads: "Doris Hanks spent Sunday with relatives in Neoga."

1910 U.S. Federal Census - Mattoon Ward 4, Coles, Illinois - Residence: 409 South 21st Street
Household:
Henry Cordes (44)
Audrie Cordes (39)
Floy Cordes (19)
Mable Cordes (15)
Joseph Wynens (68) - a boarder
DORRIS HANKS (27) - a boarder - Native Tongue: English - Occupation: Laborer - Industry: Railroad

Doras Hanks was a member of Neoga Lodge No. 347 I.O.O.F. and the David Neal Encampment No. 167 of the I.O.O.F.

Comment: The Independent Order of the Odd Fellows No. 347, was organized in Neoga on October 9, 1867. The David Neal Encampment No. 167 of the I.O.O.F. Lodge of Neoga was organized on February 21, 1912, with the following charter members: C.M. Peters, W.P. Lacy, Otis Storm, M.C. Gordon, H.P. Davidson, F.P. McMunn, Wm. F. Honberger, DORAS HANKS, H.R. Clay, James Kuykendall, Henry Husband, A.H. Schoby, THOMAS HANKS, James Hicks, E.A. Duensing, L.J. Goodwin, Henry Fellows and V.W. Peters. This information can be found in the 150 years Sesquincentennial Celebration booklet of Septemter, 2006.

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) 7 Jan 1915, Thu. Page 2

"Thomas Hanks, who has been suffering from a severe attack of grip, is still unable to leave his room. His son, Doras Hanks, is also ill and under the doctor's care."

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) 3 Feb 1915, Wed. Page 3

"Doras Hanks is very ill from tuberculosis at the home of his father, T. P. Hanks."

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) Thu. Page 2

"Mrs. Alden (Grace Hanks) Moxley of West Liberty, Ind., and George Hanks of Indianapolis are here this week on account of the serious condition of their brother, Doras Hanks."

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) 9 Feb 1915, Tue. Page 1

"George Hanks, desk sergeant of Indianapolis, was here last week to visit his brother, Doras Hanks, who is ill from tuberculosis."

OBITUARY of Dorus Hanks published 1915 - Newspaper Unknown (found in personal papers of Alice Hanks Thomas, half-sister.)

DORUS HANKS

1883-1915

Dorus Wheeler Hanks was born September 22, 1883 and died at the home of his father, Thos. Hanks in Neoga, March 2, 1915, aged 32 years and 14 days, after a lingering illness with tuberculosis.

He was a faithful member of Neoga Lodge No. 347 I.O.O.F., also David Neal Camp No. 167 of I.O.O.F. of Neoga.

He leaves besides the father one brother, George Hanks of Indianapolis, Ind.; one sister, Mrs. Alden Moxley of West Lebanon, Ind. and one half-sister, Alice Hanks.

Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Pease, pastor of the Neoga Presbyterian Church and interment followed in Neoga cemetery.

JOURNAL GAZETTE (Mattoon, Illinois) 4 Mar 1915, Thu. Page 5

"FORMER MATTOON MAN DIES IN NEOGA

Doras Hanks Succumbs to Consumption After a Long Illness - .....

Special to Journal-Gazette - Neoga, Ill., March 4 - Doras Hanks, youngest son of T. P. Hanks of this place, who has been in decline for the past two years of tuberculosis and during the winter has been unable to leave his room, died on Tuesday evening about 7:30 o'clock. He was about thirty years of age and his last position was as towerman in Mattoon. The past two years he had been able to work only occasionally. He had passed most of his life in Neoga.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock at the home. Interment in Neoga cemetery beside that of his mother. The Odd Fellows assisted in the funeral and burial."

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT - Published in Unknown Newspaper (found in personal papers of Alice Hanks Thomas)

In Memory of Brother, Dorus W. Hanks who died March 2, 1915

Once again death hath summoned a Brother Odd Fellow and the golden gateway to the Eternal City has opened to welcome him to his home. He has completed his work in the ministering to the wants of the afflicted, in shedding light into darkened souls and in bringing joy into the places of misery and as his reward has received the plaudit "well done" from the Supreme Master.

AND WHEREAS, The all wise and merciful Master has called our beloved and respected Brother home;

AND WHEREAS, He having been a true and faithful Brother of our Mystic Order, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Neoga Lodge No. 347, I.O.O.F. in testimony of its loss, be draped in mourning for thirty days and that we render to the family of our deceased brother our sincere condolence in their deep affliction and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family.

Harry ?. ????? - A. ? White - TH?? ? Husband - Committee

NOTE: The I.O.O.F. Lodge gave the order for his burial to Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home in Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois.