New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-29
ANSON P. STOKES DEAD.
Retired Banker Stricken by
ApopIexy in City Home.
MEMBER OF OLD FAMILY
Long Prominent in Social and
Business Life and at One
Time in Politics.

Arson Phelps Stokes. retired banker.
who had been an officer and director
Of many Of the prominent institutions
OF this city, died from apoplexy at ?
o'clock yesterday afternoon at his home
No 23O Madison avenue.
While Mr. Stokes. who was seventy
Eve years old. had not been in good
health for about a week. he said the
night before his death that he was much
better. and he seemed TO have recovered
from his indisposition. Yesterday morn
ing. however he was worse, and became
unconscious shortly after 5 o'clock. He
did not regain consciousness.
When it was seen that his condition
was critical members Of his immediate
family were informed and gathered at
his home This was the first attack OF
apoplexy he had suffered and although
his weak condition made any illness
critical IL was not until efforts to bring
return Of consciousness had failed that
it was realized he was dying
With the exception of a son. Arson
Phelps Stokes jr.. secretary Of Yale
University, who was unable TO arrive
until later in the day, all the members
OF his family were with him when he
died. Dr. Ransom :. Hooker, Of No. l15
East list street, his son-in-law, was In
attendance
Arson Phelps Stokes was a member OF
the old New York family Of that name,
and had long been prominent in the busi-
ness and social worlds. lie was born in
New York on February %, 1888, the son
of James and Caroline (Phelps) Stokes
He was educated by tutors and at pri-
yate schools in this city. He entered
the metal business, in which members
of his family had long been prominent,
and at one time was member OF the
firm Of Phelps. Dodge d Co.. metal i'm
porters, at No 90 John street lie re-
tired from that firm in 1879, later becom-
ing a partner in the Phelps-Stokes bank
ing house in Wall street, resigning three
Years later 10 devote his time TO other
financial undertakings.
In 1865 Mir. Stokes married his second
cousin, Miss Helen Louisa Phelps. only
daughter Of Isaac Newton Phelps. OF
New York. TWO sons. James Graham
Phelps Stokes, the social worker, and
Arson Phelps Stokes, jr., secretary OF
Yale University. and one daughter. Miss
Caroline Phelps Stokes. were born To
them.
At me time Mr. Stokes was owner OF
one OF the largest and most elaborate
country houses In the United States,
Shadow Brook. at Lenox. Mass. In
August, 1929. while taking mis- daily ride
about his l,O0O-acre estate there in the
manner Of an English squire. he was
thrown from his mount, shatterinS the
bones in his left leg so badly that am
putatio was necessary.
After mis- recovery he was unable to
indulge in his favOrite recreation Of
riding horses about his benoX estate, and
a year later he announced that Shadow
Brook was for sale.
The house on the Lenox estate at the
time OF is erection was a marvel in de-
sign and equipment Built of native blue
limestone after the Gothic style. the dis
tance around its outside walls was more
than LOO feet. The cost Of the estate
and the house is said 10 have exceeded
10000. II was sold for about one-third
OF that sum.
In his early manhood Mr.. Stokes was
fond of travel and In 1853 went 20 Cali
fornia 10y steamer, returning overland TO
New York. Besides extensive travel in
business pursuits. he made number OF
cruises TO the West Indies and South
America i'm his steam yachts.
Mr.. Stokes was Democrat, ana AT one
time was prominent in free trade and
civil service reform movements. In 1901
he was president of the National Associa-
ton OF Anti-Imperlalist Clubs. lie was
chosen president when the Reform CluD
was founded. and served two terms as
vice-commodore OF the New York Yacht
club. He was a member or the Cen
fury Association. the New York Yacht
Knickerbocker. Reform, Riding, Seawan-
haka Yacht. Church. LenoX and city
clubs al the time of his death. lie was
an author. among his published works
being Joint Metallism.' Dangers or
the Proposed National Paper Money
Trust" cruising in the West Indies
and cruising in the Caribbean with
Camera.
In 1892 Mr.. Stol es invented and patent
ed floating uattery to be used In naval
warfare. glohuar in shape and equipped
with two 5O-foot guns capable OF carrying