William Doran

William Doran (November 13, 1834 – November 12, 1903) was mayor of Hamilton, Ontario from 1888 to 1889. William Doran's parents, Sylvester Doran (1789 – ?) and Elizabeth Doyle (? – 1886), were from Carlow, Ireland. They immigrated to Canada in 1821. Sylvester was a stonemason and built their family home at 470 Main Street. They began a farm and had 8 children, Michael, Edward, William (ex-Mayor of Hamilton), James, Peter, John, Eliza, and Mrs. Hewitt. Sylvester built the first Irish Roman Catholic Church on Patton Street. James inherited his father's land and sold it in 1884. He built properties at 81, 83 and 85 Main Street East. James headed the Grimsby Manufacturing Company and was appointed the high school trustee. Doran Avenue was named after his family name.

William Doran was born on November 13, 1834, in Grimsby, Ontario. He worked on the farm and as a teacher in his early years. He moved to Hamilton, ON and started a grocery store with his brother Michael. There are exerts from the local newspaper advertising their new grocery store on King Street East next to "Meakins and Sons". On October 1, 1867, he petitions for a crosswalk at King Street and Nelson Street (near his grocery store). On April 17, 1868, he advertises to rent a house with 6 rooms on King Street between Nelson and Catheart Streets. On March 20, 1868, he advertises to rent out a grocery store on John Street, North of King Street (between Lind and Barton).

William Doran married Sarah Cecilia Morse (January 4, 1848 – February 28, 1928) on September 16, 1868. Their children were Ethel M, Dr. William, Doran of Detroit, Reginald M. (Peanial) of Bank of Hamilton, Abishai (died August 20, 1873), Eveline, D.W. Alton (Berwick, ND), and Amy Cecilia.

In 1871, William (aged 37), Storekeeper, and Cecilia (aged 23) lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with their daughter, Evelyn (aged eight months). The family were Wesleyan Methodist. In 1875, William enters into another business with his brother Michael called the Dominion Vinegar Works at 41 Stuart Street, which was built by James Williamson and sold to the brothers (and burnt down in 1912). In 1877 William Doran entered into politics by placing an ad for Ward 5 Alderman. He was elected to city council in 1879. In 1890 he was chairman of the hospital committee and continued as Alderman from 1881 to 1882. On April 11, 1883, he advertises the sale of a brick cottage at 203 James Street North and to contact him at 31 Stuart Street.

After a brief retirement from public life, he is then elected chairman of sewers committee from 1886 to 1887 then is elected as city Mayor 1888-1889. On October 24, 1889, he laid the first cornerstone of the first Hamilton Public Library. On February 20, 1891, William Doran and Adam Laidlaw run for the Dominion Parliament (today Liberal Party) against McKay and Ryckman and was unsuccessful.

On November 4, 1893, William Doran requests deduction in property tax at 108 East Avenue South, which was valued at $4900. He was awarded $100 deduction. On August 3, 1894, William Doran was on the Library Committee. On June 5, 1896, William Doran was a member of the Public Library Board.

On Jun 16, 1896, William Doran attended the Railway conference. In 1897, William was elected to city council as Chairman Board of Works. On December 1, 1898, Michael advertises to rent a store on the corner of West Avenue and King William. On January 30, 1899, William Doran is pallbearer at Mrs. Gage's funeral.

On August 27, 1901, William Doran gives up office. In 1901, William (aged 67), Vinegar Manufacturer, and Cecilia (aged 53) lived in Hamilton, Ontario, with their children: Ethel (aged 26), William, (aged 22), and Amy (aged 18). Also living with them was Peainal [Reginald] M. Doran (aged 13). On February 20, 1903, there was a fire that started at his residence at 108 East Avenue South that started in the basement near the furnace. February 1903, William Doran gets stomach cancer. On March 16, 1903, William Doran advertises loss of French Poodle 2 weeks ago on Bay and Cannon.

On November 11, 1903, William Doran dies of stomach cancer and pneumonia at the age of 72 at this residence. His pallbearers were Adam Rutherford, Col. Moore, Horace Davis, Jas McClary, William Burkholder, and JB Turner. He is buried at the Hamilton Cemetery. On May 22, 1905, the household goods are auctioned off. In 1912, Dominion Vinegar Works burns down. New brick building built in its place but fire again in 1948 and rebuilt as a one-story. On February 28, 1928, William's wife, Sarah Cecilia Doran, dies.