Obituary for Major and Garfield, OK Joseph W. Hanks File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by David Kravetz Return to Garfield County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/garfield/garfield.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Following is the typed version of the obituary of my great great grandfather Joseph W. Hanks. His father was the first cousin to Nancy Hanks, the mother of Abraham Lincoln. Cheers, David Kravetz from The Enid Daily Eagle, Vol. 13, No. 72, 26 Mar 1914£ Front Page Headline 1: JOSEPH W. HANKS, KIN OF LINCOLN, DIED HERE TODAY Headline 2: Nephew of Nancy Hanks, mother of martyred President passes away Headline 3: In Enid since the opening Note 1: Deceased was Born in 1833 in Brown County, Ill., and Served in Union Army during War--Mrs. Hanks Survives ££ "Joseph William Hanks, a pioneer citizen of this city, a veteran of the Civil War and the last near relative of Abraham Lincoln, according to the latest statistics, died this morning at 6:45 at his home at 231 East Cherokee. " 'Grandpa' Hanks was well known in Enid having made the run with one daughter in 1893, his wife driving through in a wagon at the same time from Oak Grove, Oklahoma, Mr. Hanks and his daughter coming on the train.£ He has been prominently identified with the Salvation Army since 1892, joining the Volunteers at Oak Grove a year previous to moving to Enid.£ During the pioneer days of this city Mr. Hanks was the leading character in the Salvation army and assisted nightly by either carrying the flag at the head of the procession or by beating the drum.£ Up until the past few years he has continued his services with the Salvation religious meetings, and very recently has assisted the local agents, although on account of his advanced age he has not been a regular attendant. "Joseph W. Hanks was 81 years of age, having been born in Brown Co., Illinois, January 19, 1833.£ His parents were poor and he received only a limited amount of education, being forced to help make his own living.£ His first work was in breaking prarie for which he received a salary of $6.00 per month. When between 20 and 21 years of age Mr. Hanks began to learn the blacksmith trade near Kirksville, Missouri.£ He later moved to Kirksville where he was married April 30th, 1856 to Carolin C. Smith, who survives him.£ He lived in Kirksville until the end of the great rebellion when he enlisted in the home guards under Col. David Moore, the father of John C. Moore of this city.£ The home guards were disbanded later and Mr. Hanks enlisted in the 3rd Missouri Cavalry of the Union Army, serving three years. He returned to Kirksville at the close of the war and in 1871 moved with his wife and family to Harvey County, Kansas where they resided for about fifteen years.£ From Harvey county the family moved to Barber county, then to Pratt county and in 1889 to Oak Grove, Oklahoma, where they resided until coming to Enid. "Mr. Hanks is survived by his wife and seven children, all but one of whom, were present during the last few days of his illness and at the time of his death.£ The children include Mrs. Josephine Bannister, of El Reno, Pascal Hanks of Ringwood, Logan Hanks, of Chickasha, Mrs. Elsie Jackson, of this city, Marion Hanks of Glenwood, Colorado, Mrs. Stella Young of Victoria, Texas and Earnest Hanks of this city.£ Marion Hanks is the only child not present. In addition to the children, Mr. Hanks is survived by twenty-five grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren, many of whom are now in Enid, including Mrs. Mae Welch of this city and Chester Hanks of Springfield, Illinois, whom Mr. and Mrs. Hanks raised. "Mr. Hanks was the first cousin of Abraham Lincoln.£ As indicated by his name the kinship came from the mother's side, Joseph Hanks being a nephew of Nancy Hanks, the mother of Lincoln.£ Mr. Hanks' father, who was also named Joseph was Lincoln's mother's brother, the elder Joseph and his sister Nancy being left orphans when very small. "Carolin Hanks, the wife of the deceased has many vivid recollections of the Civil war.£ Living in Missouri, one of the battle grounds of the struggle, she saw some of the actual fighting.£ The battle of Kirksville in 1862 in which her husband's regiment took part was fought not far from her home.£ She rode horseback, carrying two small children to a point from which she could view the battle in hopes of seeing her husband.£ She did not see him, however, but did meet one of her three brothers, who was also serving in the Union army. "Funeral services over the remains of Mr. Hanks will be held from the home tomorrow at 4 o'clock.£ The services will be conducted by the local Captain of the Salvation army, Peter Sohn, assisted by Captain Ray Mallotte, of Oklahoma City and Adj. George Hickman of Tulsa.£ In addition to the relatives now present others will arrive tonight and tomorrow.£ The old soldiers will act as pall bearers.£ Interment will be made in the Enid cemetery." -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Garfield County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/garfield/garfield.html