Brantford, ex-Mayor of the City of Brantford
was born in Perthshire, Scotland, on November 30th, 1844. He is a son of
John Henry, a contractor, and his mother, Jane, nee Dow, both being
Scotch. Our subject was educated in the parish schools of Perthshire until
he reached his ninth year. Then, in 1853, he came with the family to
Ontario, and finished his studies in the Brantford public schools. In his
twelfth year he entered the employ of Andrew Hudson, stationer, and in
this employ remained three years. He then became an apprentice to the
grocery business with R. C. Allan. In 1862 our subject entered the
warehouse of Charles Watts, the leading wholesale grocer in Brantford; and
on the demise of Mr. Watts, in 1868, he became manager for Alfred Watts,
the son of his former employer, who bought out the business. Mr. Henry
held the position until 1871, when he became a partner. The firm was now
known as A. Watts & Co., wholesale grocers. This firm also owns
the Brantford soap works, the largest in the Dominion. The wholesale and
manufactory, combined, embrace a very large business. The character of the
firm stands the very highest, and its business relations extend throughout
every province in the Dominion. Mr. Henry has held many positions of trust
and responsibility during his career in Brantford. He has been president
of the St. Andrew's Society, of the Caledonia Society, of the South Brant
Agricultural Association, of the Telegram Printing Company, of the Liberal
Conservative Association, and has been for two years part the president of
the Brantford Board of Trade. He at one time was, for three years, a
member of the High School Board. He has also been a director of the
Brantford Young Ladies' College, since its establishment; and he takes a
very active part in the municipal affairs of the city, having been elected
to the council for the representation of the North Ward in 1876. Mr. Henry
was elected to the mayor's chair in 1878 by a large majority, and was the
first mayor of Brantford after its inauguration as a city. He was elected
by acclamation in 1879, and offered the position a third time, but
declined. During his term of office as chief magistrate the Lorne bridge
across the Grand River was built, and is one of the best roadway bridges
in Canada. Mr. Henry has always been an indefatigable worker in the
interests of the city and county. In politics he is a Liberal
Conservative; in religion a Presbyterian, and is a member of Zion
Presbyterian church. He married Carrie E. Philip in December, 1879,
daughter of the late Anthony Philip, and grand-daughter of the Rev. Dr.
Buchanan, of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has three children. Mr. Henry is
courteous and kindly-hearted, and is very popular with all classes of the
people. |