William Henry Oakes was born November 20, 1865.
The 1880 United States census showed William Oakes (age 19, born in Canada, boarder) living in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Princeton brickyard started up yesterday morning for the first time this season. Owing to the wet weather it was not deemed advisable to start before but the recent improvement in trade and large shipments of brick made it necessary this week. There is also a change in the firm, F. M. Campbell retiring and William Oakes, of Anoka, who has been connected with the operation of the yard for several years, succeeding him. Mr. Woodcock still retains his interest as before. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, June 27, 1895, Volume XIX, Number 27, Page 1)
William Oakes left yesterday morning for the coast where he will secure some timber lands with a view of lumbering there at some time in the future. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, April 20, 1899, Volume XXIII, Number 19, Page 5)
The 1900 United States census showed William H. Oakes (age 38, born November 1861 in Canada, brick manufacturer) married to Elizabeth J. Oakes (age 32, born February 1868 in Canada). Along with their children, Harry L. (age 12, born in Minnesota), Julia M. (age 9, born in Minnesota), Annie L. (age 7, born in Minnesota), Stillman (age 3, born in Minnesota) and Denzil (age 1, born in Minnesota), they resided in Princeton Township, Minnesota.
W. H. Oakes went to Minneapolis this week to look after some machinery and repairs for the brick yards. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, April 17, 1902, Volume XXVI, Number 18, Page 5)
W. H. Oakes of Brickton, Minn., stopped off at Anoka, Tuesday on his way home from Minneapolis. Mr. Oakes was an Anoka citizen a number of years ago. He is now engaged in the brick business at Brickton. – Anoka Herald. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, May 8, 1902, Volume XXVI, Number 21, Page 5)
A large party of Princeton people left the first of the week for Prineville, Oregon, to prove up on their stone and timber claims. On Monday Mike Mahoney, Fred Reems and Wm. Oakes left for the west and on Tuesday the party that started consisted of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Woodcock, E. M. Farnham, Harry H. Farnham, W. P. Chase of Foley Bean Lumber Co. Mrs. Tomes who formerly lived in Princeton will join the party at points in Montana. They are all to appear at the land office on the ninth of this month to make final proof. Ernest Sellhorn and Charles Oakes left for the same place last week and will meet the party at Prineville. Most of the folks will be gone only a short time, but E. M. Farnham will remain on the Pacific coast for some time visiting relatives and friends. He will return home early in the spring via the southern route. (The Princeton Union, Thursday, December 3, 1903, Volume XXVII, Number 51, Page 5)
William Oakes and his sons and Charley Oakes and sons, of the brick yards, were camping at the lake this week. They had an enjoyable time and caught a lot of fish. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, June 30, 1904, Volume XXVIII, Number 29, Page 8)
W. H. Oakes of Brickton left Monday for Everett, Wash., where he will make his future home. He does not intend to return here. The partnership with Mr. Woodcock in the brick business will continue for some time yet. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, October 6, 1904, Volume XXVIII, Number 43, Page 5)
The 1910 United States census showed William H. Oakes (age 45, born in Canada, sawyer lumber mill) married to Rosa Sarah (age 26, born in Canada) and living in Seattle, Washington.
Persian Compound, a sure cure for asthma and hay fever, for sale by Mrs. W. H. Oakes, Princeton. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, August 12, 1920, Volume 44, Number 34, Page 5)
A. W. Woodcock, J. M. Stowe and W. H. Oakes attended the Bryan meeting in Minneapolis on Monday. (The Princeton Union, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, Thursday, October 13, 1921, Volume 45, Number 43, Page 5)
The 1930 United States census showed William H. Oakes (age 60, born in Canada, clay digger brick factory) married to Rosa M. (age 53, born in Minnesota) and living in Mica Township, Spokane County, Washington.
Mica, Washington. Oakes, William Henry, b. 1865, d. May 03, 1936, age: 70yr, h/o Rosa, Hazen-Jaeger FH, Lot-135.
Funerals. Oaks, William H. - His home was at Mica, Wash. Husband of Rose, brother of Lee of British Columbia, Charles of Portland, Ore. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral Wed., May 6, at 1 p. m., from the Alwin Chapel at the Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, N1306 Monroe st., Rev. W. A. Stewart officiating. Interment, Mica cemetery. (The Spokesman-Review (Spokane), Tuesday, May 5, 1936, Page 14)