Harry H. Bentley
Encyclopedia
Harry Bentley (sometimes written as Henry Bentley) was a politician in Lethbridge
, Alberta
, Canada
. He was the city's second and fifth mayor, serving during 1892–1893 and 1896–1898. His great grandson is former Alberta MLA
Jim Dinning
. Bentley also served as president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in 1894 and again during 1896–1898.
Born in Strathroy, Ontario, Bentley married Margaret Lettice West in 1883. They had three children together and moved to Lethbridge in 1885, where he opened a dry good store in 1885 on the main street in Lethbridge. In fact, he was the first merchant in the settlement.
After his predecessor Charles Magrath
decided not to seek reelection because of pressure at his company, Bentley — who was then town alderman — was appointed by acclamation
as mayor. Most of his term was spent dealing with the local effects of a worldwide economic depression
. The North Western Coal and Navigation Company
, one of the area's largest employers was hit with closures and layoffs, and town growth practically ceased. at the end of his second term, Bentley saw interest in local settlement increase and the NWCNC's financial performance improve.
Bentley served on the executive committees of the Lethbridge Baseball Club, Lethbridge Lacrosse Club and the Lethbridge Rugby Football Union. He was also chairman of the town's immigration committee. In addition, the land for the first fire hall was purchased from him.
Lethbridge
Lethbridge is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the largest city in southern Alberta. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby Canadian Rockies contribute to the city's...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was the city's second and fifth mayor, serving during 1892–1893 and 1896–1898. His great grandson is former Alberta MLA
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
Jim Dinning
Jim Dinning
Jim Dinning is a Canadian Progressive Conservative politician and businessman. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta , and now serves on the board of directors of a variety of Canadian companies. Dinning ran for the leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives to replace...
. Bentley also served as president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in 1894 and again during 1896–1898.
Born in Strathroy, Ontario, Bentley married Margaret Lettice West in 1883. They had three children together and moved to Lethbridge in 1885, where he opened a dry good store in 1885 on the main street in Lethbridge. In fact, he was the first merchant in the settlement.
After his predecessor Charles Magrath
Charles Alexander Magrath
Charles Alexander Magrath conducted foundation surveys of the Northwest Territories from 1878 until 1885. He joined Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt and Elliot Torrance Galt in their western industrial enterprises as a surveyor, later becoming Elliott's assistant and Land Commissioner of the North...
decided not to seek reelection because of pressure at his company, Bentley — who was then town alderman — was appointed by acclamation
Acclamation
An acclamation, in its most common sense, is a form of election that does not use a ballot. "Acclamation" or "acclamatio" can also signify a kind of ritual greeting and expression of approval in certain social contexts in ancient Rome.-Voting:...
as mayor. Most of his term was spent dealing with the local effects of a worldwide economic depression
Long Depression
The Long Depression was a worldwide economic crisis, felt most heavily in Europe and the United States, which had been experiencing strong economic growth fueled by the Second Industrial Revolution in the decade following the American Civil War. At the time, the episode was labeled the Great...
. The North Western Coal and Navigation Company
North Western Coal and Navigation Company
The North Western Coal and Navigation Company also known as Alberta Coal and Railway Company, was a coal mining company formed in 1882 by Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation...
, one of the area's largest employers was hit with closures and layoffs, and town growth practically ceased. at the end of his second term, Bentley saw interest in local settlement increase and the NWCNC's financial performance improve.
Bentley served on the executive committees of the Lethbridge Baseball Club, Lethbridge Lacrosse Club and the Lethbridge Rugby Football Union. He was also chairman of the town's immigration committee. In addition, the land for the first fire hall was purchased from him.