William A., son of Nathan (1) and Susan (Hemingway) Oaks, was born in Oaks Corners, Ontario county, New York, July 29, 1853, and is now (1910) living there. He received his education in the public schools and the Carey Seminary and then engaged in farming, making a specialty of hop growing. He is a trustee of the Protestant Episcopal church of Phelps and trustee of the school at Oaks Corners. He is a member of Sincerity Lodge, No. 200, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Grange. At one time he was master of, delegate to, the state grange. He married Jessie A., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Cooke, of Neenah, Wisconsin; no children, but adopted two: Frank; Madeleine.
