"History of Logan County, Illinois", published 1886.
pg 296

Thomas H, Stokes, proprietor and editor of the Lincoln Times, is a son of Benjamin A. and Maria L. (Mulford) Stokes, natives of New Jersey and Ohio. The former followed farming in Warren County, Oho, during his active life, and is now retired.  His son, the subject of this notice, was born March 28, 1848, at Utica, Warren Co., Ohio, in which place and at Ridgeville, in the same county, he lived until twenty years old.  He attended the common school of his home, the National Normal Schol at Lebanon in 1865-'6, and the Antioch College in 1866-7.  He then taught school for one year near home, and in August, 1868, came to Lincoln.  He taught for six months in the country here, and ws, in 1869-70, principal of the First Ward school of Lincoln  In July, 1870, he entered the employ of Boyd, Paisley & co., with whome he remained continuously (except one year with John A. Lutz) until he purchased teh Times, jan. 1, 1880.  Mr. Stokes has een for many years prominent in local politics, and in matters of public concern.  He was for two years a Director in the Public Library Association, four years Secretary of the Democratic county Committee, three years Secretary of the County Agricultural Society, and is now a Director in the Lincoln Loan and Building Association.  During the legislative session of 1885 he was Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of the  House.   he was married March 28, 1871, to Mary M. Larison, of Lincoln, and has three children-Mable, Walter R. and Carroll d. Mrs. Stokes attends the Christian church.   Mr. Stokes is a member of the Masonic order.