George Frederick Marter

George Frederick Marter (6 June 1840 – 10 May 1907) was a politician in the Canadian province of Ontario. He led the Ontario Conservative Party from 1894 to 1896. Marter and Patrick Brown are the only permanent Ontario Conservative leaders who did not lead the party into an election.

George Frederick Marter
Leader of the Ontario Conservative Party
In office
1894–1896
Preceded byWilliam Ralph Meredith
Succeeded byJames P. Whitney
Ontario MPP
In office
1894–1902
Preceded byNew riding
Succeeded byWilliam Beattie Nesbitt
ConstituencyToronto North
In office
1886–1894
Preceded byJacob William Dill[a]
Succeeded byGeorge Langford
ConstituencyMuskoka
Personal details
Born6 June 1840
Brantford, Upper Canada
DiedMay 10, 1907(1907-05-10) (aged 66)
Toronto, Ontario
Political partyConservative 1886–1894,
Independent 1902
OccupationBusinessman

Early career

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After graduating from grammar school in Brantford Marter became a merchant and county councillor in Norfolk County, but later moved to operate a general store Bracebridge, Ontario.[1]

Politics

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Marter was elected for the riding of Muskoka from 1886 to 1894 and Toronto North from 1894 to 1902.

In 1894, Marter became Conservative leader following William Ralph Meredith's acceptance of the position of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. The Conservative Party he led was aligned with the Protestant Protective Association in the legislature, and was divided by religious conflict and narrow bigotry. Marter was essentially an interim leader.

In 1896, he was replaced as leader by James P. Whitney. He was defeated when he ran as an Independent in the 1902 election.

Later life

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Following his political career Marter became an insurance agent/manager of the London and Lancashire Insurance Company of Toronto and later co-founder of Marter Hall Company Limited with his son. Marter died in Toronto in 1907.[1]

Legacy

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Marter Township, Ontario is named for him.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Riding formerly named Muskoka and Parry Sound.

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Dembski, Peter E. Paul (1994). "Marter, George Frederick". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (eds.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XIII (1901–1910) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
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