Frank Lorenzo Pettit was born March 31, 1878 in Richfield Center, Genesee County, Michigan. He was the son of James Sanford and Elva P (Davis) Pettit. James and Elva had seven children; Delphine (1872-1892), Carrie (1874-1892), Cora (1876), Frank (1878), Edna (1881), Edythe (1883), Oscar (1887). In the 1880 Federal Census, Sandford and Elva are found in Richfield, Michigan with four children; Delphine, Carrie, Cora and two year old Frank. Sanford list his occupation as Farmer but he is disabled and list the cause as Heart Disease. Sandford is 34 years old. In the 1990 Federal Census, Frank remains at home and he is 22 years old. James Sandford and Elva list three children living with them; Franks, Oscar and Edith. The census states that Elva has had seven children five of whom are living. James appears to be working full time and has recovered from the heart issues that were reported in the previous Federal Census.

Frank married Alice Oatman on September 4, 1909 in Otter Lake, Lapeer County, Michigan. In the 1910 Federal Census, Frank and Alice are working for Nelson Nichols in Pontiac, Michigan. Franks occupation is listed as nurse and Alice’s is listed as housekeeper. There are several boarders also listed in the census record. On September 12, 1918, Frank register for the WWI draft. He stated that he was forty years old and he worked for himself as a Day Laborer and Farmer. He stated that he was tall and slender with dark blue eyes and red hair. Alice is his next of kin contact. He states that they lives in Otter Lake, Genesee County, Michigan.

By the 1920 Federal Census, Frank and Alice have one son who is seven years old, Carlton (Golton) . On March 28, 1929 Golton Pettit died from an apparent Suicide attempt on March 26 in Marathon. Michigan. In the 1930 Federal Census, Frank and Alice remain in Marathon, Michigan. Frank is a farmer. In the 1940 Federal Census, Frank and Alice are still found in Marathon, Michigan and they have a daughter, Mary A. Pettit. In his 1942 WWI Draft record, Frank is sixty four years old. They live in Otter Lake, Michigan.

Seventy two years ago today, Frank died in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan. He was a widower. He is buried Watertown Township Cemetery in Tuscola County, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Frank!

Love Jan

Frank is distantly related to me thru the marriage of my two times Great Grand Aunt Ester Losee to Myron Pettit.