• Born: 1863, Kenwyn, Cornwall ²
• Married: 9 Aug 1887, Baldhu, Cornwall ¹
• Died: 2 Feb 1899, Lead, Lawrence, SD, USA ³

  Research Notes:

"Stephen Oates was found dead in bed in his room at the World's Fair restaurant about six o'clock this morning. It is not known what time during the night he died, but it is thought about one o'clock. The cause of his death is not known, but it is probably that it was pneumonia. An inquest will be held this afternoon. The remains were taken in charge by S.R. Smith and moved to his undertaking rooms early this forenoon. The deceased was born in Cornwall, England, 38 years ago, and came to America in 1880 and has been a resident of Lead for ten years. He was employed in the mines until about ten months ago, when he received an injury which rendered him incapable of further service in the mine. He does not belong to the union or any secret society. The deceased leaves a wife and two children in the old country, three sisters in Montana and a brother, Wm. Oates, of this city. His death was a great shock to his brother, as he was not even aware that he was sick. Tuesday he attended the funeral of James May and appeared to be in perfect health. Yesterday he complained of not feeling well but nothing serious was thought to be the matter until he was found this morning. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock and interment will be made in South Lead cemetery."

Evening Call, February 2, 1899 ³