Introduction
DR. JAMES GRIER STANTON was born to Dr. James H. Stanton and his wife, the former Wilhelmina Grier on April 15, 1860. After graduating medical school in 1881, he followed his father to Camden, and began practicing medicine. He married S. Jennie Hill of Milford DE in 1883. In 1884 Dr. and Mrs. Stanton had built a residence and office at 821 South 5th Street, the corner of South 5th and Division Streets in South Camden.
Dr. Stanton was a Republican, and ran at one time for the post of County Physician. He served for three years as County Coroner beginning in 1887, during which time he was involved with the Anna Miller murder case. He also served as medical examiner for the Ancient Order of United Workmen, for the Order of Mutual Protection, and for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. His wife was well known in local art circles as a painter. Dr. Stanton was a member of the Union Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1890 his sister, Clara Stanton, married Dr. Howard G. Bonwill, who had studied medicine with their father.
Dr. James Grier Stanton passed away September 4, 1909.
Biographical Review – 1897
Biographical Review – 1897
JAMES G. STANTON, M.D., one of the most able and successful medical practitioners of Camden, N.J., was born in Felton, Del., April 15, 1860, son of Dr. James H. and Wilhelmina T. (Grier) Stanton. His father was born in Denton, Md. When a young man he learned the machinist’s trade in Felton, Del., where he later carried on a foundry for five years. In 1863 he removed to Philadelphia, and engaged in the commission business. About 1870 he relinquished mercantile pursuits, and, entering the University of Medicine and Surgery, took a full course of study. After graduating Dr. James H. Stanton began practice in Philadelphia. In 1881 he moved to Camden, where he continued in his professional labors, making a specialty of heart and lung diseases; and he resided here until his death, which took place in March, 1895. He was recognized as an authority upon certain diseases, including tuberculosis; and he wrote some valuable medical papers. His wife, Wilhelmina T. Grier, was born in Frederica, Del., daughter of Captain J. W. Grier. She reared a family of four children, two of whom are living, namely: Dr. James G., the subject of this sketch; and Clara Hall, wife of Dr. H. G. Banwill, of Camden. The elder Dr. Stanton was a member and for some time a class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church; and Mrs. Stanton, who is still living and resides with her children, is also a member of that church.
James G. Stanton accompanied his parents to Philadelphia when he was three years old. He began his education in the public schools of that city; and, after graduating from the Central High School, he took a commercial course at Pierce’s Business College. He was subsequently employed for a year in W. H. Pile & Sons’ drug store; and, then matriculating at the Jefferson Medical College, he pursued a thorough course of study, and was graduated in 1881. After practising in Philadelphia for about six months, Dr. Stanton located in Camden, coming here a perfect stranger, and immediately created a most favorable impression. In 1884 he erected his present residence, at the corner of Fifth and Division Streets, with spacious and suitable offices, including a reception-room and laboratory.
In politics he is a Republican, and he was a candidate for County Physician. Elected County Coroner under Governor Green in 1887, he served with ability for three years, during which time his official duties brought him into close connection with the Anna Miller murder case, which was one of the most remarkable of its kind upon record.
In 1883 Dr. Stanton was united in marriage with S. Jennie Hill. She was born in Milford, Del., daughter of Absalom Hill, a prosperous farmer and a well-known merchant of that town; and she is one of three children, all of whom are living. Dr. and Mrs. Stanton have two children—James H. and Jennie G.
Dr. Stanton is medical examiner for the Ancient Order of United Workmen, for the Order of Mutual Protection, and for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; and he is connected with the society known as the Sons of Delaware, which is composed of members whose parents were natives of that State. Mrs. Stanton has displayed considerable talent as an amateur painter. A beautiful specimen of her art, entitled “The Shepherd and his Sheep,” which hangs in their parlor, is highly spoken of by critics. Dr. Stanton attends the Union Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Stanton is a member.
A Girl’s Sad Death
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The body of a young girl was discovered on Saturday at Undertaker Ramsey’s, No. 531 Diamond street, and by order of the authorities was taken back to Camden whence it had been brought, to No. 335 Pine street, the house of Mrs. Engle, who was arrested and given a hearing before Mayor Pratt the same evening, when Dr. J. G. Stanton testified that he had been called to attend the deceased, whose name was Kate Gutenkunst, and who died of peritonitis. Dr. Formad’s testimony and that of County Physician Gross showed that the case was one of malpractice. The accused was held on that charge. The body was sent back to the undertakers.
Republican Candidates
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Named: Jacob C. Daubman, Charles Fackler, Dr. Willis Hunt, Charles Pedigree, David Baird, George S. West, Dr. James G. Stanton, William O. Sloan, Thomas Harned, George Barrett, John Campbell, William H. Chandler, William F. Reed, Dr. John D. Leckner, John Corbitt, John Blowe, Harry B. Paul, George Pfeiffer, David M. Chambers, George A. Tenner, Benjamin M. Braker, John H. Doerr, David Jones, L.D. Sheppard, H.C. Hopper, A.J. Hoey, Frank Warren, Edward Dudley, B.L. Bonsall, John D. Glover, Peter Arrison, and Dr. Onan Gross.
Camden Items
Trenton Evening Times —
—Coroner Stanton will hold an inquest this afternoon in the case of Annie M. Porter, of No. 2 Elm street, Camden, who is suspected of infanticide, her two newly born children having been found in a bucket of water in her room about two weeks ago.
—Miss Annie Cort, who has for some time been under police surveillance, on Elm street, Camden, on a charge of double infanticide, was yesterday considered recovered sufficiently to warrant her arrest, and she was taken in charge by Policeman Jones and removed to the City Hall. Coroner Stanton was notified, and he ordered the woman held to await an inquest this afternoon, on suspicion of smothering her two infants. Miss Cort was allowed to go to her home, where she is under surveillance by the police.
Dr. Stanton, Formerly of Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
For about a score of years Dr James G. Stanton was one of the best known physicians in the southern section of Camden. He was a member of the class of ’94 of the Jefferson Medical College, and from his graduation until about ten years ago practiced in Camden. He took an active part in Republican politics, being elected coroner in 1888. During his incumbency he presided over the inquests in the celebrated Leconey and Miller murder cases in 1889 and 1891. He is survived by a widow, a son and a daughter. A sister, who is the wife of Dr. H. G. Bonwill, of Fifth and Division streets, Camden, received a dispatch last night announcing Dr. Stanton’s sudden death.