New-York tribune., 1921-06-26
J. B. Starlcllfield
Dies Suddenly
AT Islip Home
Noted Lawyer Withdrew
From Stillman Case Sew
eral Weeks Ago, Hoping
To Restore His Health
Brilliant Career at Bar
Candidate for Governor i'm
1900 and Led Boom for
Wilson Against Bryon

John B. Stanchfeld, noted lawyer and
for many years prominent figure in
Democratic politics, died yesterday
morning at his summer home in Islip,
L. /. He was sixty-six years old
His withdrawal three weeks ago
from the Stillman divorce case, in
which he had been counsel for Mrs.
James A. Stillman, afforded to Mr..
Stanchfield a much needed rest. but
failed to bring to him the toped-for res
toration of health. The persistent neuri-
tis from which he was suffering proved
TO be but symptom of a far more grave
affection of the kidneys, which culmi-
mated in his death. At his bedside were
is.wife, son, daughter and son-in-law.
who are, mis- only. near relatives sur
viving. The funeral will be held at
Elmira, N. Y, his native place. next
Tuesday.
John Barry StaEchfeld was the son
of John X. and Giovina S. Stanchfeld;
his father. one Of the foremost physi-
clans of Elmira, n. Y, and son of an
Englishman who founded Leeds, Me-.
and named it after his native city in
England. He was born at Elmira on
March 13, 1855, and was educated in
the public schools anG Free Academy
OF that city; at Amherst College
where he was graduted in 1876, and at
the law school of Harvard University.
In college he was q member Of Psi
Epsilon and a leading athlete, especial
~ IN rowing and baseball, and ranked
above the average in class scholarship.
Partner of David b. Hill
Returning home from Harvard in
lSfi ne gave decisive bent to his
whole subsequent life by entering the
law Office of David Bennett Hill. Where
ne completed his preparation for the
par and received his training as a
Democratic politician. The next wear,
1873, he was admitted to the bar and
became Mr.. Hills law partner. a reia-
tionship which continued until Mr.. Hi,
became Governor of the state in 1898.
AT the latter date he became mem
per per OF the law firm of Reynolds.
stanchifeld & Collin, a connection
"nich NC lasted for twenty years.
meaH tlme ne became actively inter
ager and as AN officeholdcr. From 1850
to SS5 he was District Attorney Of
Chemung County, place which he
owed largely to MIR. Hills influence,
but which he filled so ably as to com i.
mend himself to popular favor there
after on his own merits. In 1886. 1857
and 1888 he was Mayor of Elmira,
After few years of retirement from
public life he served in the State AS
sembly in the sessions of 1895 and
1876, in the latter being the leader of
the Democratic minority.
Mr.. Stanchfeld removed to New
York City in 1900, though fer five years
more he retained his Elmira law part.
nership. In that year he was the
Democratic candidate for Governor of
the state. He had incurred some Of
the factional antagonism which was
directed against his former partner
and friend, David B. Hill, and his ca
recr as counsel for various railroads
and other corporations and his opposi-
tion, though not in the Legislature, to
an employers liability bill, had
brought upon him the displeasure of
labor Organizations. Nevertheless, he
made good run, in an overwhelmingly
Republican year, against B. B. Odell jr.
and polled $4,000 votes more. than
| William j. Bryan, who was his
party's candidate for President at the
same election. In 1901 he was the
Democratic candidate for United States
! Senator. ~ le.
Led Boom for Wilson
| Mr.. Stanchfeld was a prominent New
| York delegate to the Democratic
National Convention Of 1912, and was
foremost in opposing the candidacy of
William J. Bryan and the leader of the
movement in support of Woodrow Will
| 10 IA Of fr3k
| ing speeches in the convention, de-
nouncing Mr.. Bryan as selfish, favor
hunting and publicity seeking, and as
not meaning to support any Demo
cratic candidate but himself, ard con-
cluded it by announcing his own vote
| for Wilson, the first New York vote to
be thus cast.
When the question of consolidating
the metropolitan municipalities into q
"greater New York" arose, in 1896, Mr..
Stanchfield, as q representative Of an
upstate" constituency. earnestly op-
posed it, on the ground that it would
enable this city, at any rate, by COM
bining action with Buffalo and some
government of the state. In 1900 he
was vigorous opponent Of the notori-
Gus Ramapo water job, and pledged
himself if elected Governor to sign
any bill that would repeal the charter
| of the Ramapo company.
Counsel for Harry Thaw
Mr.. Stanchfield was from his earliest
years successful and prosperous as a
lawyer. While in Elmira he was coun-
sci for the Erie and the Delaware
Lackawanna g. Western railroads, and
the Elmira Water, Light and Railroad
Company He owned many houses in
that city and much rural land through.
out Chemung County. On his removal
to this city he established here ar
Office of his Elmira firm of Reynolds
Stanchfield & Collins, at s Nassau
Street, but some years later changed il
for that of Stanchheld & Levy, in tbs
Equitable Building. His practice com,
prised both civil and criminal cases
and he soon was recognized as one Of
the leaders of the metropolitan bar.
He was counsel for Harry Kendall
Thaw, and was chiefly, instrumental il
obtaining his release from the State
Hospital for Criminal. Insane at Mat
teawan after many futile attempts ts
that end had been made by others