Eli first married Lena LaForce on March 20, 1904, in Jackson Co., Missouri. Lena had been married previously and had children from that previous marriage; her maiden name was Lourinda "Lena" WRIGHT.
Listed in Clay Co, MO in 1910 as a farmer, married 6 yrs to Linnie (44, MO). It was her second marriage and only 2 of her 3 children from the former marriage were living.
By the time of the 1930 census, Eli was married to Amelia LINDSEY. By 1930, he had two children living in his household who were noted as "adopted": John D. (7) and Mary K. (5). The relationship to John and the household is not known. In 1930, he was working as a special agent for the railroad.