John Cant

Cant, John, Galt, was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, on the 30th June 1830. He came to Canada with his father, in 1843, settling at Galt; and here his father died in 1869, leaving a famiIy of eleven children, John being the fourth. In Galt John Cant leaned the trade of harness making, but about the year 1872 he gave up this business, and entered as book-keeper in the firm of Cant, Gourlay & Co. Here he remained till 1881, when he entered into partnership with William LaidIaw, Hugh Cant and Andrew Cant, in the manufacture of wood working machinery; and the operations of the house have since met with considerable success. In 1882, Mr. Cant was elected to the town council of Galt, and at the period of writing, is serving his third year in that body. He has likewise sat at the school-board, having been always interested in the promotion of education. Mr. Cant is a Presbyterian, and has for many years been a trustee of Knox church. In general politics he has always taken an intelligent interest, and is a staunch advocate of the policy of the party led by Hon. Edward Blake. Mr. Cant married in 1861, Margaret, daughter of the late John Veitch, of the town of Galt, and one of the early settlers of that place. By this lady he has a family of three children, one son. and two daughters. Our subject, it may be said, is senior member of the business house already alluded to; and he gives his attention to the financing and general management of the same. Mr. Cant has all those qualities which in commerce make a man successful, and which obtain the esteem and the good will of the community.