Edward Oakes was born in about 1751.  Almost nothing is known about his early life.  He may have been a partner in a silver-plate firm – Fenton, Creswick, Oakes & Co – at Mulberry Street.  The partners, besides Edward Oakes, were Matthew Fenton and William Watson.  But they did not register a silver mark and the firm was dissolved in 1790.  Oakes’ next venture may have been with Staniforth, Parkin & Co, a merchant, but he left in 1792.   

The Sheffield directory (1797) listed Hawksworth, Oakes & Co, merchant and factor, 44 Campo Lane.  Oakes’ partner was John Hawksworth.  After the latter’s death (and burial at the parish church on 26 January 1797), Oakes and Hawksworth’s executors (Joseph Hawksworth, John and William Champion, and John Gillatt) dissolved the firm.  Edward Oakes was next part of Shemeld & Oakes, a merchant in Orchard Street.  His partner was James Shemeld.  After the latter’s death in 1814, Edward Oakes continued to trade as a factor in Orchard Street.   By 1821, Edward Oakes & Son was listed in Orchard Lane as a merchant and manufacturer of pen, pocket, table knives, and razors.  

Oakes died on 30 August 1826, aged 75.  His obituarist remarked: ‘One of his late departed associates had not inaptly called him the “Laughing Philosopher”, as his risible faculties might be truly said to be in almost perpetual motion amongst a large circle of his acquaintance’ (Sheffield Independent, 2 September 1826).  He was buried in St Paul’s churchyard.   He left a detailed will.  His wife, Ann née Gillot (whom he had married in 1777), had died in 1817, aged 60.  Their son, Joseph (born in 1796 and baptised at Upper Chapel), became his father’s ‘successor’.  The business was listed in 1828, but appears to have soon ceased trading.   

Joseph Oakes may have joined Henry Jobson in Oakes & Jobson, stove grate and fender maker, at Roscoe Place (but this was dissolved in 1833).  Four years later, Joseph Oakes, merchant, was listed at Washington Place, Wellington Street.  But he was insolvent in 1840.  He died at his residence at Nelson Place, Glossop Road, on 22 January 1857, aged 60.  He was buried in an unconsecrated grave in the General Cemetery.