Marter, George Frederick

DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Peter E. Paul Dembski, “MARTER, GEORGE FREDERICK,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 13, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/marter_george_frederick_13E.html
DCB profile notes:
- Businessman, office holder, and politician; b. 6 June 1840 in Brantford, Upper Canada, eldest son of Dr Peter Marter and Jane Augusta Hatch; m. 25 June 1862 Mary A. Green of Windham Township, Upper Canada, and they had three daughters and one son; d. 10 May 1907 in Toronto.
- After graduating from the grammar school in Brantford, George Frederick Marter entered business. Eventually he moved to Windham, in Norfolk County, where he added to his commercial pursuits an interest in local government; for ten years he served as township clerk. Next Marter now with a family, relocated in Teeterville and shortly afterwards in Waterford. During his early career he came to see himself as a self-made businessman who represented small-town Ontario. In some respects he never outgrew this confining image.
- In 1886, running as a Conservative, Marter won the newly formed seat for Muskoka in the provincial assembly. Before long he became a notable figure within the opposition ranks. In the general election of June 1894 Marter who had moved to Toronto with his family about 1891, was returned in the new riding of Toronto North. Four months later Meredith resigned as leader to assume a federal judgeship. A Tory caucus considered four possible successorsand the selection of Marter on 23 October seemed sagacious.
- Nevertheless, no one’s advice was sought when Marter during the by-election in November to fill Meredith’s seat, rashly committed the Tories to total prohibition and then proclaimed his willingness to abolish separate schools, “if it can be done.” Both stands were constitutionally doubtful and unpopular. The Conservative candidate, another antagonist of separate schools, was defeated by 803 votes in a constituency that the Tories had held since confederation. Confidence in Marter did not increase when, soon after, he completely reversed his positions. In December he declared that prohibition would not be pursued, because, he claimed, Grit temperance men could not be counted upon to place their consciences before their party in dealing with the issue.
- Marter’s ability to improve his image suffered when he was struck ill with peritonitis during the 1895 session. In his absence Whitney became de facto leader. Marter’s role as head was further undermined by his own parliamentary ineptitude. An episode during the 1896 session was typical. He assailed the Liberal regime for its failure to teach practical courses, such as bookkeeping, in the public schools. The minister of education, gleefully pointed out that the leader of the opposition must have consulted only the summary of his department’s activity. The full report revealed that 14,000 students had taken bookkeeping. Such blunders stimulated the growing movement for his removal. On 2 April, at the close of the 1896 session and after less than 18 months as leader, he resigned and made way for Whitney.
- Marter was less successful as a politician, especially during his leadership years, but he had contributed to the emergence of a dynamic progressive Conservatism, which eventually brought the Tories to power in 1905.
Great Grandson of Proven United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=3648
Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120537439/george-frederick-marter