Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 170. JAMES L. HANKS In the latter part of the '40s and the decade of the '50s the trails extending westward from the central and eastern states were dark with caravans drawn by oxen and mules, driven by the numberless hardy pioneers who opened up the new and undeveloped country along the Pacific coast. James L. Hanks, now a venerable and honored resident of Glendale, was one of the early settlers of Douglas county, Oregon. He was born in Illinois, February 14, 1829, a son of John and Susan (Wilson) Hanks, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. This is the same Hanks family to which Abraham Lincoln was related on the maternal side. In fact, the martyred president at one time lived in the home of John Hanks and James L. Hanks of this review was for several years his bedfellow. He relates many interesting incidents of the period when "Uncle Abe," as he was always called by the children, became a, member of his father's household, being then a slender, beardless young man, working on the farm of John Hanks, with whom he also made twelve different trips down the Mississippi river to New Orleans. As land was plentiful, Lincoln took up a homestead about that time and John Hanks assisted him in building his cabin. It was while a member of that household that Lincoln began reading law, studying at night long after the family had gone to bed, pursuing his reading often by the light of blazing pine knots. His relatives did not consider him anything out of the ordinary at the time but were proud of him after he was admitted to the bar, for he was not long in giving evidence of his power and ability in practice. James L. Hanks acquired his education in the public schools of his native state and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he started westward, making his way across the plains to California, driving a mule team, in 1850. For seven years he remained in that state and in 1857 came to Oregon, settling at Roseburg. After devoting two years to mining he bought a farm in Klamath county, which he operated with much success until 1910, when he retired from active life. Ere he started for the west he bade good-bye to, his cousin, Abraham Lincoln, who was then practicing law, in Decatur and who advised him not to come, reciting the fact that the country was almost wholly unknown, that the trip was hazardous and that it properly belonged to a later generation to develop Oregon. However, Mr. Hanks decided to carry out his plans. He returned to the east when Lincoln was president and the story which he told the chief executive made him have new views concerning this state. The president asked him if he would like to be a United States marshal or postmaster or hold some other federal appointment in Oregon, but Mr. Hanks informed him that he was still a democrat, and at the time he was sheriff of Lake county. He therefore, did not care to resign his office to accept republican appointment. In 1861 Mr. Hanks was married to Miss Mary Purdue, a native of Missouri, and they became the parents of ten children, John, Marion, Ella, Linna, Jessie, Emma, Affa, Louis, William and Edgar. The eldest son, John Hanks, is now living at home with his parents and is one of the prominent citizens of Glendale, where he is the owner of considerable real estate. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has always been an active political worker. He was elected to the office of city marshal three years ago and is still serving in that capacity. He also held the position of constable of Glendale for two years and has always been actively interested in any movement looking toward the municipal advancement of his, native city. His father, James L. Hanks, is now in his eighty-fourth year, a successful, prosperous and active man who has spent his life since he became of age in developing and promoting the mining and agricultural interests of Douglas county. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.