Stanton, Whitney Curt 1874-1944

STANTON, MYRBEN, MILLER

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/4/2016 at 13:30:30

March 16, 1944 - Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune - C.W. "Cooney" Stanton, whose name was synonymous with the state fair and county fair horse racing circuits for a half-century, took his last, long ride this afternoon to his final resting place in Storm Lake cemetery. It was not at all like the good old days when "Cooney" drove his fast steppers around the ovals at breath-taking speed, he had driven all the fairs and mid-west racing circuits from Wisconsin to Montana and Missouri to Canada, year in and year out.

Like his brothers, Tim and Bert, also prominent circuit drivers in their day, "Cooney" kept the Stanton name fresh in the minds of the track lovers over the years. He was a prominent figure at the state fairs in Des Moines, the county fairs at Alta, Spencer, Marshalltown, Waterloo, and any other Iowa county seat town you could name. On to the Nobles county fair at Worthington, Minn., the Steele county fair at Owatonna, or the South Dakota state fair at Huron a quarter-century ago or even less, and you would see the Stanton name on the racing program.

"Cooney" drove for many stables in his day. In fact before he became a harness driver he was a jockey. Started riding the bang tails when he was 15, and had put in several months as a stable boy before that. When he became too heavy to Jockey, "Cooney" climbed into the racing sulky and started switching 'em home for stable owners. He drove home wonderful track stars, including Erma Napoleon, time 2 15 1/2 but of all the horses he ever drove Bonnie Guinn of the famous Guinn strain was his favorite, and the mare with which he was most successful in winning track money. This pleased "Cooney" no end because he himself lived here since he was two year old and always entertained a lot of pride in this city.

Bonnie Guinn was owned by W.C. Termohlen of Storm Lake. "Cooney" also drove horses for Perry and Ned Rutledge of Storm Lake and Fort Dodge who maintained their stables here.

Born on a farm in Humboldt county, February 20, 1874, he came to Storm Lake with his parents in 1876. His father, Amasa Stanton, was one of the first, if not the first, grading contractor in Storm Lake. The older Stanton was a lover of horse flesh too. He never had the opportunity of entering the racing field. He originally came from New York state and homesteaded between Fort Dodge and Manson prior to coming here. The family came to Storm Lake just when the town was getting a good start.

Cooney got his education in the common schools of Storm Lake but when he was 15 years old he answered the call to his greatest love - horses. It was the proudest day of his life when they told this stable boy he could be a jockey. Later when weight made it impossible for him to set a mount in a running race, the race track was in his blood and he simply changed position from on the back of the horse to in a sulky behind a pacer. Thereafter the Stanton colors were raced about from the track until Cooney retired.

He was married in 1903 in Storm Lake to Margaret Myrben who preceded him in death two years ago.

Surviving is his son, Walter, Richmond, CA; and two sisters Mrs Edith ? of Ruthven and Mrs K Miller Storm Lake; together with a number of nieces and nephews including Fire Chief Harold Stanton.

After retiring from the race track, "Cooney" farmed in Montana and later in Canada. Returning to Iowa, he entered the restaurant business in Marathon, subsequently returning to Storm Lake and operating a rooming house. Later, he owned and operated the Pantry café, which he sold out several years ago.

Pall bearers included Ned Rutledge, Perry Rutledge, C Hill, George Mack, A.F. Skeels, and Mike Tracy.