Butte County
Biographies
OSCAR STANSBURY, M.D.
OSCAR STANSBURY, M.D., has an excellent reputation for professional honor and skill, acquired through a general practice covering a period of nearly thirty years in Butte county, Cal., where he located as yearly as 1875. A native of Carrollton, Carroll county, Miss., where he was born, February 17, 1852, Dr. Stansbury was the fourth child in a family of nine born to Washington and Emily (Ayres) Stansbury. His paternal grandfather, William Stansbury, belonged to a distinguished Maryland family, and he himself was a patriot and an officer in the war of 1812. During his active life he pursued general merchandising in the city of Baltimore, and it was there that he died.
Born in the city of Baltimore, Washington Stansbury grew to manhood and was educated there. Having early in life become interested in the study of medicine, he accordingly entered the University of Maryland, and there he pursued his studies for several years, graduating from that institution in 1836. He was a thorough student and at once entered upon his career as a general practitioner, selecting a desirable location at Carrollton, Carroll county, Miss., being at that time but twenty-one years old. He was not long a resident of this community before his skill as a physician was recognized and he rapidly grew in the confidence of the people, and in time built up an enviable reputation throughout Carroll and adjoining counties. By his marriage he was united with Miss Emily Ayres, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Isaac Ayres, a prominent planter of that state for many years. Mr. Ayres subsequently located near Memphis, but his death took place at the home of Dr. Stansbury in Carrollton. Of the nine children born to Dr. and Mrs. Stansbury, five were sons and four daughters. The aged mother is still living, a resident of Jefferson City, Mo.
The early mental training of Dr. Stansbury was gleaned from the public schools of his section, and at the early age of fifteen, in 1867, he became a student at the University of Mississippi, taking an academic course and completing the sophomore year. Having in the meantime decided to become a physician, he entered the University of Maryland and graduated from that institution in March, 1873. Returning to Carrollton, Miss., he spent the following two years in that locality, in the practice of his profession. After careful consideration Dr. Stansbury decided to come to California in 1875, locating at once in Chico. Here he soon won recognition as a physician of worth, and during the intervening years he has gained a firm foothold in this section, not only as a professional man, but from a social standpoint. Like his father, a thorough student, he keeps abreast of the times, and is one of the best informed men of his locality. In addition to his extensive practice he takes a fitting interest in all events of importance pertaining to the welfare or the improvement of his section.
Dr. Stansbury is a Mason of high degree and is allied also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He affiliates with Lodge No. 111, F. & A.M., of Chico; Chapter No. 42, Commandery No. 12, and Islam Temple, N.M.S., of San Francisco. Although his political preference is given to the Democratic party, yet he varies in the matter of his vote occasionally, as in the case of the late President McKinley, for whom his vote was cast. As a member of the state board of health, to which he was appointed by Governor Pardee, Dr. Stansbury has been especially useful to his section. By his marriage the doctor was united with Miss Libbie Manlove, born in Greensboro, Eastern Shore, Maryland, and three children have blessed their union. Of these the eldest, Middleton P., is attending medical college in San Francisco; Angelina H. is pursuing her studies in the State University at Berkeley; and Ellen G. is a high school student in Chico.
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California; by J.M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago (1906)
Oscar Stansbury, M.D., p. 545
Transcribed by Betty Wilson