Family background
John Oates was born c1826 in County Waterford, Ireland, stepson of William Doherty and son of Ellen. He arrived in Sydney with his parents and siblings on 27 May 1854 by the vessel ’Larne’. John Oates married Maria Carney (1829-1897) on 22 November 1852 at St Francis Xavier’s, Wollongong, NSW and there were 7 sons and 5 daughters. John Oates died on 23 December 1907 at his residence in Napoleon Street, North Botany, NSW and he was buried with his wife in the Old Catholic Mortuary Section of Rookwood Cemetery. He lived at Wyndham Street, Waterloo, NSW.
Local government service
John Oates was elected as one of the nine inaugural alderman on Waterloo Council. He was an alderman on Waterloo Council in 1860-66 representing West Ward. He was mayor in 1865.
References
‘Municipal and Shire Nominations’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 June 1860 p.2, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13042495