Preceded by Stephen Binney Role Canadian Politician Succeeded by Thomas Williamson Spouse Ann Forrestall (m. 1832) | Political party Conservative Resigned April 11, 1876 Name Edward Kenny | |
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Born July 1, 1800
County Kerry, Kingdom of Ireland ( 1800-07-01 ) Profession Businessman, militia officer Portfolio Receiver General, President of the Privy Council Died May 16, 1891, Halifax, Canada Party Conservative Party of Canada Children Thomas Edward Kenny, Joanna Kenny Parents Johanna Crean, Jeremiah Kenny | ||
Sir Edward Kenny, PC (July 1, 1800 – May 16, 1891) was a Canadian politician.
He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, the son of Jeremiah Kenny of Ballykeally, Esq., and Johanna Crean, he moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia around 1824 where he worked as Assistant manager in the whole business " James Lyons and Co."
In 1827, he and his older brother, Thomas Kenny of Sherwood, opened their own company in Halifax, " T.& E. Kenny - Dry Goods & Shipping ".
He became Junior Assistant V.P. of the "Charitable Irish Society" of Halifax in 1834 and Vice President in 1836. He became president of the organization in 1841.
The same year he was appointed a Member of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia and was also elected an Alderman for Ward 3 in Halifax. In 1842, he was elected Mayor of Halifax. On April 9, 1856, he became President of the "Legislative Council of Nova Scotia", replacing Michael Tobin, Jr.
In 1855, he became Director of the "Union Bank" in Halifax.
On January 22, 1862, 15 distinguished gentlemen of Halifax met in the Hollis Street office of Robie Uniacke to organize what was to become known as The Halifax Club. These men, whose names served as a Who’s Who of Halifax at that time, were Edward Kenny, William A. Black, Mathers Byles Almon, Edward Binney, Captain W.W. Lyttleton, Colonel W.J. Myers, S.A. White, James C. Cogswell, Henry Pryor, John Tobin, Robert Morrow, Alfred G. Jones, M.B. Almon, Jr. and William Cunard.
On April 26, 1864, Edward Kenny, with seven partners (J.W. Merkell, T.C. Kinnear, James B. Duffus, William Cunard, John Tobin, G.P. Merkell and Jeremiah Nothup) opened the Merchant's Bank in Halifax (later the Royal Bank of Canada).
In May 1867, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada representing senatorial division of Nova Scotia. A Conservative, he was Receiver General from July 1, 1867 to November 16, 1869 and President of the Privy Council from 1869 to 1870, when he was knighted. He resigned from the Senate April 11, 1876.
In 1872, Kenny became a director of Sir Hugh Allan's Canadian Pacific Railway. On February 8 of the same year, he travelled with Lady Kenny to Europe to see the Pope in Roma, on a special mission.
He died in his home at 167 Pleasant St, Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 16, 1891.
Kenny married Ann Forrestall (daughter of Michael Forrestall, Esq., of Halifax) in Halifax on October 16, 1832. Together they had 13 children, 7 boys and 6 girls. The first born, Thomas Edward Kenny, born October 12, 1833 in Halifax, later became president of the Royal Bank of Canada.