John Oakman, a Blacksmith living in Detroit, Michigan in 1850, married Elizabeth Normile in 1851 and they had 9 children — William (abt 1852), Margaret (abt 1854), John (abt 1855), Joseph (abt 1857), Robert (abt 1860), Elizabeth (abt 1863), Charles H (abt 1865), Emma (abt 1866), and James M (abt 1870).
John was also a Finisher and later a Grocer, remaining in Detroit until his death in 1875. His parents were William and Mary but no information has yet been found about where in Ireland John came from.
Many of their children became prominent citizens of the Detroit community. Charles became a dentist. William went into the Printing trade. Robert became a real estate agent and prosperous land developer as well as playing a major role in the Michigan Republican Party. Daughter Elizabeth travelled to Australia where married Joseph Bayliss in Sydney, and died there in 1955.
Elizabeth, born in Ireland in about 1832, died 10 years after her husband in 1885.