William Doran

William Doran (13 November 1834 – 12 November 1903) was a Canadian politician and businessman who served as mayor of Hamilton, Ontario, from 1888 to 1889.

Early life William Doran was born on 13 November 1834, in Grimsby, Ontario. His parents, Sylvester Doran and Elizabeth Doyle, had immigrated from Carlow, Ireland, in 1821. Sylvester was a stonemason and built their family home at 470 Main Street and later the Irish Roman Catholic Church on Patton Street. The family also began a farm where Doran had seven brothers and sisters: Michael, Edward, James, Peter, John, Eliza, and a sister who took the married name Hewitt.

Doran worked on the family farm and as a teacher, before moving to Hamilton with his brother Michael.

Businesses

Doran and Michael started a grocery store on King Street East in Hamilton. In 1875, the brothers purchased the Dominion Vinegar Works at 41 Stuart Street. Newspaper records indicate that he also dealt in the sale and rental of properties from the 1860s through the 1890s.

Politics

Doran displayed an interest in politics when he placed a local newspaper advertisement endorsing a Ward 5 Alderman in 1877. In 1879, Doran was elected to Hamilton City Council. He served as chairman of the hospital committee and continued as Alderman through 1882.

Doran was elected as chairman of the sewers committee in 1886. He was then elected Mayor of Hamilton, serving 1888–89.