Hugh Howard James Cant

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248421618
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-102706

Other Events:

• Business: Gore Fire Insurance, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gore Fire Insurance Co.
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17349533
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-64208P
• Immigration: 1843, , Canada
• Immigration: 1843, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saddler
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1866, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Elected Office: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor, Deputy Reeve, Reeve, Mayor
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saddler
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; In Coal Trade
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1912, 80 Water St. S., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Residence Gone
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Hugh Cant Jr. was born in Calcairn Mills, Rosshire, Scotland 18 May 1833. When 10 years old he came with his family to Canada, spending a year in Hamilton, arriving in Galt in 1845. He father was a miller who worked for the Crombie Mill. In 1856 Hugh Jr. travelled to California and in 1862 returned to Galt and became a harness and saddlery business with his brother John. In 1868 they closed the business and Hugh, John and other brother Andrew created a foundry business. After retired in 1895 the business moved to Lancaster, New York. he was a member of the Galt Public board and the school board. He wrote the book "Historical Reminiscences of Galt and Other Writings.

Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [snippet from original text in book]

____________________________

Serving in public life in Galt for forty years after taking up residence in 1845 made Hugh Cant, the 1903 mayor, an authority on the town's early history. In 1915 he wrote an interesting brochure, "Historical Reminiscences of Galt." He was a native of Calcairn Mills, Rosshire, Scotland.

In early life, when horses were very numerous, Cant engaged in the harness and saddlery business and had a busy shop on Main Street. He then became a partner with his brother's Andrew and John, in the firm of Cant Brothers, a woodworking machinery company, from which he retired in 1890.

Cant was actively associated with the Galt Town Council, the Board of Trade, the Galt Collegiate Institute Board and the Public School Board. He was a director of the Gore Mutual Insurance Company from 1877 until his death in 1917, having become president four years earlier in 1913.


Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

Business:
THE GORE FIRE INSURANCE CO.

Among the many institutions of which Galt boasts, none are more conspicuous than the Gore Ins. Co's pal-atial and imposing structure situated on the corner of Main and Ainslie streets. The style is of a Romanesque char-acter, and is built with Connecticut brown-stone, rock-faced base up to the first storey window sills ; above this it is faced with brown pressed brick, tooled portage entry stone trimmings and Terra Cotta carvings. The corner of Main and Ainslie streets is round, having over the main entrance a heavily moulded arch, supported on two Doric columns, and over the arch the Company's name carved in mediaeval letters. This round corner is continued up above the roof, forming a round tower, roofed with Span-ish tiles and terminating in a columned and octagon lantern, with ogee top and flag staff. Total height from the side-walk about eighty-two feet. The Gore has about 125 active agents through Ontario.<sup>1a

1a</sup>1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt

Elected Office:
Municipality Galt Years on local council: 1871-72, 1892-94,
1899, 1901 Councillor; 1874-75 Deputy Reeve; 1876 Reeve; 1903 Mayor
Years on Waterloo County Council: 1874 1875 1876

Hugh married Christie Anne Ferguson 25 Jan 1866, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Christie (daughter of Reeve Duncan Ferguson and Sarah Marian "Sally" "Marian" Haggart) was born 13 Mar 1839, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jan 1914, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17006933
• Name: Christie Anne Cant
• Name: Christy A. Ferguson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-64209P
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1866, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1912, 80 Water St. S., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-23586
• Residence: 1828, Kiltearn, Ross And Cromarty, Scotland
• Occupation: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Millwright
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbterian
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mill Wright
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian

Notes:

In Galt, on Saturday evening, 24th inst., at half-pst 6 o'clock, Alison, relict of the late Hugh Cant, in the 78th year of her age.

Galt Reporter May 30 1879 pg 3

Hugh — Alison Thom. Alison was born 1801, , Scotland; died 24 Mar 1879; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Alison Cant
• Name: Ellen Thom
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-23587
• Residence: 1828, Kiltearn, Ross And Cromarty, Scotland
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17049520
• Interesting: life story, politics
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-101631
• Occupation: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Elected Office: 1853, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve - North Dumfries
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1876, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

One of the first settlers who came from Livingston County, N.Y. and took up land in an unbroken forest in Mill Creek section was Duncan Ferguson, who labored in cutting down trees and made way for the building of a cabin, and then returned home to his native state, New York, to his partner and their baby, and arranged to return to their new home in Canada. They traveled with an ox cart by way of Queenston, crossing the Niagara River by boat, and wound their way through the wilderness, as it were, to their new home on Mill Creek, and to the log cabin where all their children were born, except the eldest. Mrs. Ferguson died in the year 1839 and left an infant, who was taken care of by a loving neighbor, a friend of the mother. The child, Christie Ann, lived and grew up to womanhood, and in the year 1866 she became the partner of my life for well nigh half a century, until she received the call, Jan. 19, 1914, "Come Home." Having finished her labors she entered upon her reward. "Gone but not forgotten."

"Historical Reminiscences of Galt and Other Writings", by Hugh Cant Jr, pg. 4, 1915.

________________________________

The Late Duncan Ferguson

Died in Galt on Saturday, Oct. 4, 1884, Duncan Ferguson, aged 80 years and 10 months.

Few indeed of the early settlers of these parts were more widely known or more highly respected than the aged pioneer who has just passed away. Mr. Ferguson was a native of the State of New York. He was of Highland Scotch extraction, and we believe was a land surveyor by profession. As early as 1817 a number of highlanders had emigrated from New York State and taken up their abode in the neighborhood of Galt and Branchton. And in the year 1831, just 53 years ago, Mr. Ferguson decided to try his fortunes in the Canadian forests, and accordingly emigrated thither with his family. He settled upon the farm near Galt, at present occupied by his youngest son Mr. Alex Ferguson, upon which he resided upon until five or six years ago when he removed to Galt.

The deceased was a man of far more than average intelligence, and was an extensive reader. In the early days of the township he took a very active part in public affairs. We learn from Hon. Mr. Young's history of the early settlement of Galt and Dumfries, that in 1882, when the famous Territorial Bill of the Hincks-Morin government, dividing Dumfries into 2 townships, came into effect. Mr. Ferguson was Reeve of the first municipal council for North Dumfries, elected after the division. The council was composed as follows: Reeve, Dr. Charles McGeorge & Deputy Reeve, Mr. Duncan Ferguson: councilors Messrs Alex Buchanan, Robert Cranston and David Shantz. Mr. Buchanan is the only survivor of the council of 32 years ago. In 1853 Mr. Buchanan was Reeve and Mr. Robert Cranston Deputy Reeve. In 1854 and 1856 Mr. Ferguson occupied the reeves chair with Mr. T. Chisholm as Deputy. Privileged with more than average education and intelligence Mr. Ferguson proved himself a very useful municipal officer.

The deceased was a man of sterling principals and deep piety. He took an active interest in the establishment of the U.P. Church, of which he was for many years was Ruling Elder, a position he held at the time of his death.

Possessed with a remarkably strong constitution he enjoyed the best of health until two or three years ago, when the infirmities incident to old age began to manifest themselves. Since that time he had given away gradually, both physically and mentally and passed away rather suddenly as above mentioned.

The deceased was married three times, his third partner surviving him. The surviving members of the family are; Archibald and Alexander, North Dunfries; Peter; Minnesota; Angus, Denver, Col. & Mrs. Macfarlane, Denver; and Mrs. Hugh Cant, Galt.

The funeral on Monday afternoon was very largely attended, testifying to the esteem in which the deceased was held.

_____________________________

Death of Mr. Duncan Ferguson

This well known old resident of Dumfries and Galt passed away on Saturday last, at the ripe age of 81 years and 10 months. For several years past, Mr. Ferguson has been an invalid, an affection of the eyes having rendered him nearly blind; and of late he has been confined to his house entirely. He was a native of New York State, and came to Dumfries n the year 1831, when he took up the homestead at present occupied by his son, Mr. Alex Ferguson. In the old days, the decreased took a prominent part in public affairs, and was Deputy Reeve of the first municipal Council of North Dumfries. He was a man of integrity and ability, and carried with him to the grave the esteem of many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Ferguson was thrice married his third partner surviving him. The surviving members of his family are - Archibald and Alexander, Dumfries; Peter, residing in Minnesota; Angus, residing in Denver; Daniel, residing in Galt; Mrs. McFarlane, Denver; and Mr. Hugh Cant, Galt.

Galt Reporter Oct 10 1884 pg 1

Duncan married Sarah Marian "Sally" "Marian" Haggart CA 1827. Sarah was born 30 Mar 1809, Caledonia, Livingston, New York, USA; died 16 Aug 1839, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43981358
• Name: Marian Haggart
• Name: Sally Haggart
• Name: Sarah Marian "Sally" "Marian" Ferguson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-107659

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: dnf-91042

Notes:

Archibald Ferguson was a Scottish born farmer who raised five children with his wife Christie Anna McVean. Two of their sons, Peter and Archibald Jr., died as young adults. Their three surviving children lived normal lives.

Archie's first son Duncan Ferguson, settled in North Dumfries, now Cambridge, Ontario about 1825. His younger surviving siblings, sister Jane and brother Alexander, remained in Caledonia until Jane's death in 1878. Alexander retired and moved with his grown family to Thayer, KS in 1880. Both Duncan and Alexander have living Ferguson descendants.

Archibald Ferguson was baptized and probably born in 1770 in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland and emigrated to New York during the 1790s. He was the younger brother of Daniel Ferguson of York, Livingston County.

Archibald Ferguson served as an Ensign during the War of 1812 in the 77th Regiment New York Militia McKay's Company.

(2018). Findagrave.com. Retrieved 9 December 2018, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22099081/archibald-ferguson

Archibald — Christian McVean. Christian was born 1777, , Perthshire, Scotland; died 19 Jan 1846, , New York State, USA; was buried , Mumford Rural Cemetery, Mumford, Monroe Co., New York. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Christian Ferguson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-95149