BIOGRAPHY: W. Stanton Gleason, M.D.; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

W. STANTON GLEASON, M. D. In addition to being a skilled practitioner of the
medical profession, Dr. Gleason is also prominently identified with the
educational interests of Newburgh, being a member of the Board of Education,
and an active promoter of the free schools. Although quite a young man, he has
already gained more than ordinary success, and possesses large influence in
his community, a fact which is accounted for by his strong principles, his
concern in the welfare of all around him, and the genial manners which are the
crowning charm of a fine nature.

On the paternal side, Dr. Gleason is of English descent, while through his
maternal ancestors he traces his lineage to Holland. The Gleason family
originated in Glastonbury, England, and their name is derived, with a slight
alteration, from the name of that town. The father of our subject, Rev.
William H. Gleason, D. D., was a son of Rev. William Gleason, a Presbyterian
clergyman, and was born in Durham, Conn., September 28, 1833. At the age of
six-teen he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1853, with
the degree of A. B. Later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him. Among
his classmates who afterward attained national fame were Andrew D. White,
Wayne McVeagh, Senator Gibson and B. K. Phillips.

After his graduation, W. H. Gleason engaged in the mercantile business at Sag
Harbor, Long Island, but not caring to make that his occupation for life, he
devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, and in 1857 was admitted to the
Bar. He at once began the practice of his profession, in which he soon gained
prominence and success. His first ballot was cast for John C. Fremont, and in
his early years he was an ardent politician. In 1864-65 he represented the
First District of Suffolk County in the Assembly, and while in this position
delivered an able eulogy upon Abraham Lincoln, after the assassination of the
President. With others, he took an active part in the project to build the
Long Island Railroad through to Sag Harbor. In 1868 he was nominated by the
Republican party for Member of Congress, but the district being strongly
Democratic, he was defeated, though he succeeded in greatly reducing the
majority of his opponent. By all who knew him it was conceded, and justly,
that he stood at the head of the Bar in East-ern Long Island.

Not withstanding his success in his profession, Mr. Gleason retired from it to
enter the ministry, realizing that the latter profession offered him greater
opportunities for doing good unto his fellow-men than that to which his
previous years had been devoted. He was ordained to the ministry in the
Presbyterian Church of Sag Harbor, and at once entered upon the pastorate of
the Dutch Reformed Church of Newburgh, remaining in this city for six and
one-half years. For the ten ensuing years he was pastor of the Dutch Reformed
Church of Newark, N. J., after which he went to Hudson, N. Y. Owing to failing
health, he retired from the ministry in 1889, and removed to New York City,
where he died February 21, 1891. He was a man of large culture and noble
character, one who would have adorned any profession and been an honor to any
city. In 1881 he received the degree of D. D. from Rutgers College, and at
other times during his busy life he was the recipient of honors from his
fellow-men. His first wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Gladwin, and was a
daughter of John Gladwin, a merchant of Deep River, Conn. She died in Newburgh
in 1875, after having be-come the mother of six children, of whom three are
now living. His second marriage united him with Miss Leila, daughter of Rev.
D. S. Seward, of Yonkers, and they became the parents of one child.

The next to the eldest child born of his father's first marriage, the subject
of this sketch is a native of Sag Harbor, Long Island, his natal day being
July 24, 1860. After completing the studies of the common schools, he entered
Williston Seminary, at Easthampton, Mass., and later was a student in Amherst
College. In September, 1883, he began his medical studies at the University
Medical College, New York, under the preceptorship of Prof. William M.
Thomson. After a thorough course in that institution, he was graduated with
honors, with the degree of M. D., in 1886. A term of practical hospital work
followed, and he then opened an office in Newburgh, where he has since
conducted a remunerative and large practice. In 1893 he purchased a very
desirable property at No. 143 Grand Street. In 1888 he was united in marriage
with Miss Grace, daughter of Hon. J. W. Hoysradt,of Hudson, N. V., and they
became the parents of one child, Charles Billings. The Doctor and his wife are
members of the First Presbyterian Church of Newburgh.

Socially the Doctor is a member of Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M.;
Highland Chapter No. 52, R. A. M.; Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T., and
is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. The Orange County Medical Association
and the Physicians' Mutual Aid Association of New York City number him. among
their members. During the administration of President Harrison he was
appointed a member of the Board of Examining Surgeons for Pensions, and served
as Vice-President of the Board. In 1893 he was elected a member of the Board
of Education, in which he is now serving on the Finance Committee, and as
Chairman of the Teachers' Committee. In politics he is an ardent Republican.