OBIT: John Mitchell OATES, 1931, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JOHN MITCHELL OATES

John M. Oates At Journey's End
Prominent Figure in Life of Meyersdale for More Than Fifty Years

  John Mitchell Oates, for more than 50 years a prominent figure in the social 
and business life of Meyersdale, passed away at 3 o'clock Wednesday morning, 
Jan. 21st, at the home of his cousins, Miss Mary Hocking, Mrs. Sadie Hoffman and 
Henry Hocking, on Meyers Avenue, with whom he had lived for the last 14 or 15 
years.  He attained the age of 78 years, 9 months and 24 days.
  Mr. Oates was the son of the late William T. and Jane (Mitchell) Oates.  He 
was born at St. Just, England, March 27, 1852, and came to this country at the 
age of 14, with his mother, his father having come over previously to establish 
a home for his family.  The late E. J. Weld of Meyersdale came over on the same 
ship.  The Oates family located at Frostburg, Md., where John Oates grew up and 
learned the carpenter trade.
  In 1878 he came to Meyersdale and had lived here ever since.  During his 
younger days he worked at carpentry, and eventually became superintendent of the 
Sand Spring Water Company, which position he held for about 25 years until he 
resigned and retired about five years ago.
  Mr. Oates never married.  He made his home at the Colonial Hotel for many 
years.  His father, William T. Oates, attained the age of 93 years.  He was a 
brother of Mrs. John Hocking, Sr., and after the death of his wife, made his 
home with his sister and family until he passed away about 15 years ago.  After 
their venerable kinsman's death, the Hocking family insisted that "Cousin John" 
should take his father's place in their household, which he did and continued 
until he passed away.
  Mr. Oates was a very tall, thin man, and never looked very robust, but had 
good health until several years ago when he had a severe sick spell and was 
never very strong again.  He was able to be out and around most of the time, 
though, until about nine months ago when he became quite ill and was confined to 
the house most of the time since.  The last few months he was bedfast and his 
life ebbed slowly away.
  John M. Oates had the priceless heritage of being well born.  His parents were 
very cultured, refined, kindly people and devout Christians.  The son emulated 
their noble example.  He was an upright, courteous gentleman always possessing 
many social graces, although a confirmed bachelor.  His associations were always 
of the best and he commanded the esteem and respect of all who knew him.
  He joined the Masonic order when he was a young man and was an active member 
until his death.  He was one of the oldest members of Meyersdale Lodge No. 544, 
F. & A. M.; Hebron R.A. Chapter, No. 272; Cambria Council, No. 32, Royal and 
Select Masters; Oriental Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar, Johnstown, and 
Syria Temple, A. A. O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
  Meyersdale Lodge, F. & A. M., will be in charge of the funeral services, which 
will be conducted Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the Hocking home here.  Rev. 
George Fallon, pastor of the Meyersdale Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. 
Oates was a contributing member, will officiate.  Interment will be in Allegany 
Cemetery at Frostburg, Md., where his parents are buried.
  The honorary pall-bearers will be: S. B. Philson, E. C. Kyle, Dr. Bruce 
Lichty, Dr. W. T. Rowe, J. T. Shipley, John L. Weakland, J. H. Bowman, W. H. 
Baldwin, Hilton Thornley, George Logue, J. E. Imler and W. S. Livengood.  The 
acting pallbearers will be Past Masters of Meyersdale Lodge F. & A. M.
  W. C. Price is the funeral director in charge.

Meyersdale Republican, January 22, 1931