Thomas Edward Kenny

Thomas Edward Kenny
Born(1833-10-12)12 October 1833
Died25 October 1908(1908-10-25) (aged 75)
EducationStonyhurst College
Spouse
Margaret Jones Burke
(m. 1856)

Thomas Edward Kenny (12 October 1833 – 25 October 1908) was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Halifax in the House of Commons of Canada from 1887 to 1896 as a Conservative member.

He was born in Halifax, the son of Edward Kenny and Ann Forrestall, and was educated at Stonyhurst College and the Collège Saint-Servais. On his return, he entered the family dry goods business, taking over its operation around 1870. At one time, Kenny was part-owner of 18 ships; he sold his shares in several and expanded into manufacturing, becoming involved in sugar refining and cotton. In 1856, he married Margaret Jones Bourke, a descendant of the Dutch American Roosevelt and Schuyler families. He was a member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and president of the Merchant's Bank of Halifax (later the Royal Bank of Canada). He ran unsuccessfully for reelection to the House of Commons in 1896 and 1900. Kenny died in Halifax at the age of 75.

Electoral history

1900 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
ConservativeRobert Borden5,70525.67-0.86Green tickY
LiberalWilliam Roche5,57725.09 Green tickY
ConservativeThomas Edward Kenny5,56225.03+0.88 
LiberalWilliam B. Wallace5,38024.21  
Total valid votes 22,224100.00
ConservativeholdSwing+0.02
LiberalholdSwing-0.02
Source(s)
"Halifax (1867- )". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 24 March 2020.Two members were elected from the district.
1896 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
ConservativeRobert Borden6,17026.53Green tickY
LiberalBenjamin Russell5,99725.79Green tickY
ConservativeThomas Edward Kenny5,61624.15 
LiberalMichael Edwin Keefe5,47223.53 
Total valid votes 23,255100.00
Source(s)
"Halifax (1867- )". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 24 March 2020.Two members were elected from the district.
Canadian federal by-election, 11 February 1892
Party Candidate VotesElected
ConservativeThomas Edward KennyacclaimedGreen tickY
ConservativeJohn Fitzwilliam StairsacclaimedGreen tickY
Called upon election being declared void
1891 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
ConservativeThomas Edward Kenny5,27427.69Green tickY
ConservativeJohn Fitzwilliam Stairs5,26227.63Green tickY
LiberalAlfred Gilpin Jones4,33522.76 
LiberalEdward Farrell4,17421.92 
Total valid votes 19,045100.00

1887 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
LiberalAlfred Gilpin Jones4,24325.53Green tickY
ConservativeThomas Edward Kenny4,18125.15Green tickY
ConservativeJohn Fitzwilliam Stairs4,09924.66 
LiberalH.H. Fuller4,09824.66 
Total valid votes 16,621100.00

References