Who is Charles Stanton from The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party and what is their importance?

Charles Stanton was sent to Sutter's Fort for provisions. He returned with the food the Donner Party so desperately needed them, and then tried to urge them past the summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Stanton was later trapped with the rest of the party and created the Forlorn Hope party to try to escape. He perished.