Identity area
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Authorized form of name
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Description area
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History
Hon. Col. Thomas Cantley was born at New Glasgow, N.S. on 19 April 1857, the son of Charles and Catherine (Fraser) Cantley. He attended the public schools of New Glasgow and worked several odd jobs beginning as messenger for Western Union Telegraph Co. In 1878 he opened a crockery store, Thomas Cantley and Company, on Provost Street which he operated for seven years with silent partner James D. MacGregor. He joined the Nova Scotia Steel Company Ltd. (later BESCO) in 1885 as a general sales agent and was elected to the board of directors in 1901, followed by president and general manager on 13 July 1915. Between 1895 and 1919, he travelled extensively throughout Europe where he successfully marketed Wabana iron ore and coal. He was also instrumental in introducing the manufacture of ammunition for Great Britain during the First World War. Cantley served as MP for Pictou from 1925 until his appointment to the Senate on 20 July 1935. He was active in several professional and civic organizations including: founder, trustee, and president of the Aberdeen Hospital; first member, Canadian Shell Committee; president, Canadian Manufacturers' Association; Chairman, Canadian Munition Resources Commission; and president, Nova Scotia Mining Society. He was honoured with the degree of LLD from Dalhousie (1919) and appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of Great Britain. In 1893 he married Maria Jane Fraser of Pictou. The couple had five children: Charles Lang, Howard, Donald, Helen and Marian. He died at New Glasgow at his residence, "Bonniebrae", on 24 February 1945.