New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-03
OBITUARY.
JAMES STOKES.

james Stokes, the founder of the banking
house of Phelps, Stokes & Co., No. As Wall
ST. died suddenly Monday at his country
home, in the Orange Mountains. He had not
attended to business for two months as 1t was
his custom to spend most of the the country
He had been in his usual health and had made arrange
ments to 60 to Newport yesterday Saturday he had
attack of apoplexy, but recovered from 1t. He was
again stricken with it Monday, and died suddenly at
1890 His advanced age and the af1iction he suf-
fered from the death of his wife six months ago
sidered the causes which FASTENED his death
Mr.. Stokes born at No. 45 Wafst. January 81,
1904 The number of the banking house is the
the one in which he was born, but it is different build
Ing He remarked once to an intimate friend: 81 was
born at No. As Walst. and expect to end my days
there" His father Thomas Stokes, wealthy
chant in England who connected with many of the
principal religious institutions there Among socie
ties which he interested in the London Mission
airy Society," of which he the founder In 1903 he
emigrated to this country coming in his ship.
Being man of ample fortune he settled this city,
and lived for many years the quiet life OF retired
teman Much OF his fortune lost however in lend
ing money on bad securities and indorsng notes He
failed subsequently, and then opened clothing store at
No l57 Broadway, whore James Stokes afterward be-
came a partner.
About 1887 James Stokes married Caroline Phelps the
daughter Of Arson G. Phelps, senior member of the firm
or Phelps Dodge Co Prior to his marriage Mr.. Stokes
lived in bachelors apartments in Bowling Green the then
fashionable quarter of the city, few years previous
Mr. Stokes's brother, who employed with the firm Of
Phelps, Dodge Co., killed by the fail of build
Ing which the firm occupied About year after his
riase Mr. Stokes became partner of the firm. william
f. Dodge, who married another daughter Of Arson G..
Phelps, became q member of the firm year before Mr.
Stokes For forty years Mr. Dodge Mr. Stokes were
associated in business and together they great
fortunes. Mr.. Dodge's opinion OF his partner was
expressed before the Congressional Committee
relative to moietes and Custom laws, when he
was examined in relation to the alleged violation of tho
Government secured the services of an empioye Of the
rIn TO act ms spy In January according to his usual
il his desk and the spy Informed the detscve that the
to firm that the members won% all be M do%
Street Jail before night If any more papers were
Mr. Dodge ad Rp sS T h the
SELF and more honorable man never lived the face
In 1879 Dir Stokes withdrew from the firm for pur
4 Co. The firm consisted of Isaac n. Phelps,
S lame sSEo An NJ on Phelps Stokes and p olco
tf 3dssf s3n OF James Stores and he married the only
iron Gn and n not 'nS %
neratiNe and he wished to establish business for his
cessful. and his fortune is varously estimated at from
mVe TO ten million dollars lie always made safe invest
wealth to the udcious purchase OF the building No
in business when With his children " hS reamenT
pointed to the building and said: There is the begin
g. James s1 Stokes was never seen in pubc life, although
Demccrac ticket lie wa Henry CLAW wSg ON and 's
eoonizstionist, and he finally became Democrat He
coopef1ted with his father In the colonization
mont lie was an active member of the old Public
SCHOOL Society with Peter Cooper, Merritt Trimbic and
other old citizens and many OF the prominent in the
city to-day who attended the public schools have
ceved certificates bearing hts signature In religious
belief Mr. Stokes was known for many years Open
COMMUNION Baptist, bIt lately he had been member OF
the Madison Square Presbyterian Church. He
bestowed much in charity, but little OF it
to secure the building for the Young Womens Christian
Association and directed the money to be returned
whenever the association could afford it, He also
trustee of the Young Mcns Christian Association and
member of the Historical Society. He not di-
rector In any railroad similar corporation At one
tme he was president OF the Ansona Brass and
company, the Ansonin Clock Company. member of the
pennsylvania Land and Lumber Company. Of the hm-
Der nrns OF Dodge, James & Stokes and &
Co, OF Baltimore. Ansonia Ia place in Connecticut
called AFTER Arson q. Phelps, founder OF the firm OF
PhelIS, Dodge ~ Co.
Mr. stokes lived with HIS wife forty four years lie
leaves seven children. They Arson Phelps stokes
Lame! lanes Stokes IT, Colonel Thomas Stokes. William +.
Stokes and Miss Olivia Stokes The funeral viii take
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