ELI RICHARD AND FRANCIS GOTTS EASTMAN

Eli Richard Eastman was born June 12, 1858 in New York. His parents were James and Susanna Marble Eastman. Eli married Frances “Fanny” Gotts on January 17, 1880 in Perry, Shiawassee County, Michigan. Fanny's parents were George and Anna Woolsey Gotts.

Eli and Fanny had the following children:

1. Olive Eastman was born September 4, 1884 in Lafayette Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. She married Joseph Suber of Lakefield Township.

2. Ida May Eastman was born in February 1886 and died at 22 years of age of TB on December 16, 1908 and is buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

3. Edna “Susan” Eastman was born in June 1888 and married Albert Hitzman.

4. George Byron Eastman was born May 22, 1890 in Lakefield Township and married Ethel Scott.

5. James Eastman was born May 1892 and married Gladys Whiteman.

6. Frank “William” Eastman was born March 26, 1894 in Lakefield Township and married Hazel Willman.

7. Annie Eastman was born January 1896 and married Niles King.

8. Burt Eastman was born on November 18, 1898 and died on April 29, 1899.

9. Harry Eastman was born December 1899 and was married to Grace Gay.

10. Elmer J. Eastman was born January 1902.

11. Orville Eastman was born March 14, 1908 in Porter Township, Midland County, Michigan and married Lena Hoyt.

In 1880, Eli and his family were living in Lafayette Township, Gratiot County, Michigan and owned 75 acres of woods and 5 acres of tilled or pastured land. By 1890, they were living in Lakefield Township and owned 75 acres of land in Section 4 between Meridian and Fenmore Roads.

Eli was appointed to the following Lakefield Township Offices:

1. Appointed Overseer of Highways Road District #8 on April 3, 1893.

2. Appointed Constable in place of Charles Bow on April 4, 1893.

By 1900, Eli and his family were living in Jonesfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. By 1910, they were living in Porter Township, Midland County, Michigan.

Eli died on August 8, 1926 in Porter Township, Midland County, Michigan and is buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES: 1880, 1900, 1910 U.S. Census; 1896 Lakefield Township Plat map; Lakefield Township Records; Olive, George, Frank and Orville Eastman's birth records; Eli, Burt and Ida Eastman's death records; Find A Grave Website.