The only possible father I find in Illinois for Thomas Dodd, born 1862, is in 1860 (before any of your brothers were born). McDonough County, Prairie Twp., IL 1860 Thomas Dodd, 40, Farmer, 1000 land, 200 personal, born England Elizabeth, 35, born NY Thomas, 10, born NY in school Gertrude, 7, born NY, in school Nancy Stephens, 66, born NJ (possible mother-in-law?) By 1870, this Thomas could have died and another boy, named Thomas, could have been born to this family in 1862. Can't find a two-year old Thomas in 1880 at familysearch.com. Maybe someone else will have some luck. Joan