Walter John Stanton

Stanton was the son of Charles Stanton of Upfield Stroud and his wife Martha Holbrow, daughter of Thomas Holbrow.[3] His uncle William Henry Stanton had been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the borough of Stroud from 1841 to 1852.[4]

He was educated at Westminster School and originally became a civil engineer, studying under Joseph Locke.[3]

Later he became a woollen manufacturer and a J.P. for Gloucestershire and a captain in the 2nd Gloucestershire Rifle Volunteers. From 1861 to 1874 he was chairman of the Stroud Local Board.[3] Along with other members of his family, he ran a major carpet-manufacturing business in Shrewsbury.[4]

At the 1874 general election Stanton was elected as an MP for the borough of Stroud,[5] but his election was voided on petition.[6] The election court ruled that his agent had openly used treating and entertainments. His cousin Alfred Stanton[4] was elected in his place, and at the 1880 general election,[7] and Alfred stood aside and Walter was re-elected,[6] holding the seat until 1885.[1]

At the 1885 general election, the two-seat parliamentary borough of Stroud was abolished, and the town became part of a larger single-seat division of Gloucestershire. Stroud's other Liberal MP, Henry Brand, was chosen to contest the new seat, and narrowly won it.[8] However, he later joined the breakaway Liberal Unionists, and at the 1886 general election Stanton was again the Liberal candidate in Stroud. Brand stood unsuccessfully in Cardiff Boroughs,[9] and in Stroud Stanton was beaten by the Conservative candidate George Holloway.[8]

Stanton died at the age of 85, on 2 August 1913.[2] His funeral was held in Stroud Parish Church.[2]

In 1865 Stanton married Mary Capel, the daughter of William Capel of Stroud.[4]