Arthur Job Oates was the son of George Oates and Mary Mansell.

Arthur was born on Sunday 12 April 1868.

Arthur married Annie Page Whistance on Thursday 7 July 1898 in The Register Office, Walsall, Staffordshire.

He had the following children from his marriage to Annie Page Whistance:

- Arthur William Oates	born on 25 September 1898.
- John Oates	born on 6 May 1902 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire.
- Annie Oates	born on 9 May 1903 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire.
- Clifford Oates	born on 6 August 1905 in Selly Oak, Birmingham, Warwickshire.
- Horace Oates	born on 18 April 1908 in Walsall, Staffordshire.
- Grace Lilian (Lily) Oates	born on 2 February 1909.

Arthur was a Mechanical Engineer.

Arthur died when he was 93 years old, on Saturday 23 December 1961 in Walsall, Staffordshire.