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Thomas Edward Kenny (October 12, 1833 – October 25, 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
Conservative Robert Borden 5,705 25.67 Green tickY
Liberal William Roche 5,577 25.09 Green tickY
Conservative Thomas Edward Kenny 5,562 25.03  
Liberal William B. Wallace 5,380 24.21  
Total valid votes 22,224 100.00
Source(s)
"Halifax (1867- )". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
Two members were elected from the district.
1896 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Conservative Robert Borden 6,170 26.53 Green tickY
Liberal Benjamin Russell 5,997 25.79 Green tickY
Conservative Thomas Edward Kenny 5,616 24.15  
Liberal Michael Edwin Keefe 5,472 23.53  
Total valid votes 23,255 100.00
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 Votes Elected
Conservative Thomas Edward Kenny acclaimed Green tickY
Conservative John Fitzwilliam Stairs acclaimed Green tickY
Called upon election being declared void
1891 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Conservative Thomas Edward Kenny 5,274 27.69 Green tickY
Conservative John Fitzwilliam Stairs 5,262 27.63 Green tickY
Liberal Alfred Gilpin Jones 4,335 22.76  
Liberal Edward Farrell 4,174 21.92  
Total valid votes 19,045 100.00


1887 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes % Elected
Liberal Alfred Gilpin Jones 4,243 25.53 Green tickY
Conservative Thomas Edward Kenny 4,181 25.15 Green tickY
Conservative John Fitzwilliam Stairs 4,099 24.66  
Liberal H.H. Fuller 4,098 24.66  
Total valid votes 16,621 100.00

References