George Thomas Marks

Who was George Thomas Marks?

George Thomas Marks was a businessman and politician in Ontario, Canada. He was mayor of Port Arthur, Ontario from 1893 to 1899.

He was born in Bruce Mines, Canada West, the son of George Marks and Mary Traynor, and was educated at Trinity College School in Port Hope. In 1873, he settled in Prince Arthur's Landing. He worked in various companies owned by his uncle Thomas Marks, before becoming a partner in Thomas Marks and Company in 1884. Marks was married twice: to Jennie Laird in 1881 and to Mary Elizabeth Rowan in 1898. Marks was treasurer and councillor for Shuniah and then served on Port Arthur town council from 1885 to 1887. He established a municipal electric-lighting plant and helped consolidate town debt associated with earlier public works projects. He also supported a power generation plan for the Kaministiquia River and helped promote the Ontario and Rainy River Railway. In 1894, he became a partner in the St Lawrence and Chicago Steam Navigation Company and in 1903, with others, formed the Canadian North West Steamship Company and Neebing Navigation Limited. He was also vice-president of the Dominion Marine Association.