Hugh Cant

Serving in public life in Galt for 40 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.