The sun., 1918-10-05
JAMES STOKESDIES
IN COUNTRY HOME
Banker, Lawyer and Philan-
thropist Was Noted for His
Many Benefactions.
FATHER OF SPLIT TICKET
Had Travelled Widely and Re,
ceived Honors From Italy
...' and France. ...

James Stokes, wealthy banker and
lawyer and knight Of the Legion OF
Honor of France, died yesterday in his
home at Ridgefleld, Conn. Funeral SER
vices will be held next Tuesday In st.
Stephens Episcopal Church there upon
the arrival of the S:51 train from New
York. He leaves a widow, who was for
merly Miss Florence Brooks Chatfield,
He had town house at IS Park ave-
nue.. A large part of his life was de-
voted to religious, philhnthropic and
benevolent work, ...
Mr.. Stokes was far from being az
widely known figure in the life of the
metropolis as his brother, w. +. D.
Stokes He was son of the late James
and Caroline Phelps Stokes, His father,
who died August J., 1881. left an estate
worth from $4,000, 900 to $S,000,000. He
originally left his property to be divided
equally among his children. but subse-
quently made a codicil by which the
share OF his daughter, Mrs. Henry Dale.
was made life interest. her part to
be divided among the other heirs at her
death. ,. .....
Recalls Bitter VIII Fight.
A contest was begun by Mrs. Dale
and there was a bitter family fight. Mrs.
Dale died In May. 1884. leaving no chill
dren. but her husband continued the
contest until January. 1885. when the
will was finally admitted to probate.
Dale afterward' made charges OF fraud
against w. +. ID. Stokes in his admins
tration Of the estate. but the accusa-
tons were not sustained by the courts.
The larger part of James Stokes's es-
tate has been devoted to philanthropic
and religious work. His active interest
in the Y. NJ. c. and his initiation OF
the work of the association in Paris led
to his decoration by the French Repub-
lie. The y. NJ. c. A. building at IA
Rue Trevise was erected at a cost of
100000 francs. Mr.. Stokes and mem
bers of his family gave more than 400
600 francs toward II.
Mr.. Stokes was graduate of New
York University and held the degrees
OF A. y. and LII. u. His first wife was
Miss Grace Hartley. who died in 1896.
He married Miss Chatfield in 1895. Mr..
Stokes at one time was in the iron i'm
porting business and later in manutac-
turing. He was confirmed traveller
and in addition to Europe had visited
| many parts OF Asia and Africa. He
was Independent in politics. although
nominally Republican, and was one
of the first to indorse the custom OF
voting split tickets. He was one OF the
founders of the City Club and was ac-
tive in the organization OF other civic
associations here.
HOnored by Foreign Nations.
Many foreign honors had been con-
ferred upon him. He was member Of
| the Order Of st. Stanislas of tho Frs
Glass of Russia and Chevaller of tn,
Order OF ST. Maurice and Lazaro' o.
Italy, as we'll as the Legion OF Honor
| He was for many years advisory mem
Nbsr OF the International Commission q
| the Y. NJ. G.. \. The associations build
! ings in Rome and st. Petersburg Wcr'
erected through his aid, lie was ins;ru
! mental in securing In 1905 new build
| ing for the French branch of the Y. VI
| c. A. In New York city.
! Mr.. Stokes was member OF TIL
| Chamber OF Commerce, New York His
torical Society, Municipal Art Society
New York Geological and Biological So
ciety, Alliance Franchise. the Pilgrims
National Municipal League, Presby
terrain Union, New England Society. Civil
Service Reform New York Academy o
Sciences. American Geographical SO
ciety, Victoria Institute. American So
ciety OF London, Royal Geographical so
ciety, International Law Association an,
the Union League, University, City
Down Town and Mendelssohn GleG club
In New York city, and the Sesame, Bat
and Royal Society clubs in London.