J. L. Hanks

[mcclain77]

Good evening everyone,

Hope you all are staying safe. My name is Carroll "Gene" McClain and I'm relatively new to this symposium. I thought I would drop into this post and share my own personal Hanks connection. I grew up in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, which is about a 45 minute drive from Springfield, IL.

Growing up, I remember my mother, Shirley McClain, proudly telling all us kids that we were "related to Abraham Lincoln". Unfortunately, it wasn't until her passing that I actually conducted the research to learn that her Great Aunt, Susan Bradshaw Hanks was married to Seth Columbus Hanks, Great-Great Grandson of Joseph Hanks and Anne "Nanny" Lee Hanks, whose lineage to Abraham I'm sure you are all quite aware.

So, it seems, our relation to Lincoln was through marriage into the Hanks' family, but still quite interesting to me. Many of the Hanks are buried just outside of my hometown, Decatur, in a small community called Harristown. It's amazing how much many of us took for granted growing up in the "Land of Lincoln", with frequent field trips to Lincoln's Tomb.

If there are any more of you Hanks out there from Central Illinois, it would be very interesting hearing from you!

Take care and stay safe,

Gene