George Stewart Henry

Henry, George Stewart

George Stewart Henry, farmer, businessman, Conservative politician, premier of Ontario (b in King Twp, Ont 16 July 1871; d near Toronto 2 Sept 1958). As Ontario entered the automobile age, he provided the province with its first highway system, but he has been remembered as the dour premier of Depression days. Serving in the legislature for 30 years (1913-43), as minister of public works and highways (1923-30) and then as premier (1930-34), he was dedicated to building good roads. Paved highways were extended from 670 to 3888 km and Canada's first concrete bridge was constructed. With less success he tried to promote a metropolitan Toronto area to plan development. But "Honest George" was drab and prosperous and in 1934 was no match for populist Mitch HEPBURN.