James Robert Stratton

James Robert Stratton
Member of Parliament
for Peterborough West
In office
1908–1911
Preceded byRobert Richard Hall
Succeeded byJohn Hampden Burnham
Ontario MPP
In office
1886–1904
Preceded byJohn Carnegie
Succeeded byThomas Evans Bradburn
ConstituencyPeterborough West
Personal details
Born(1857-05-03)May 3, 1857
Millbrook, Canada West
DiedApril 19, 1916(1916-04-19) (aged 58)
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Political partyLiberal
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (Ontario)
Spouse
E.J. Ormond
(m. 1881)
OccupationBusinessman
CabinetOntario:
Provincial Secretary and Registrar (1899-1904)

James Robert Stratton (May 3, 1857 – April 19, 1916) was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Peterborough West in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1886 to 1904 and in the House of Commons of Canada from 1908 to 1911 as a Liberal member.

He was born in Millbrook, Durham County, Canada West in 1857, the son of James Stratton, an Irish immigrant and later customs collector at Peterborough. He married E.J. Ormond in 1881. Stratton was publisher of the Peterborough Examiner and also sold books, stationery, and wallpaper. He served as a member of the Board of Education in Peterborough. Stratton was Provincial Secretary and Registrar from 1899 to 1904. After being elected in 1908, he ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in the House of Commons in 1911.

The geographical township of Stratton in Nipissing District was named after him.

Death

While in Arkansas Stratton became ill and was put under the care of Professor K. Fiege. As treatment Fiege put Stratton on thirty-six days of fasting with only water allowed. In the last 74 hours of Stratton's life, he suffered from an unstoppable hiccuping. In an effort to stop the hiccuping Fiege used a belt to tighten his chest. The incredible pain was only relieved once Stratton's wife unbuckled the strap. After his death Professor K. Fiege was arrested for manslaughter.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Canadian is dead after thirty-six day fast". Tulsa daily world. 20 April 1916. p. 1. ISSN 2330-7234. OCLC 4450824.