Anthony Maitland Stenhouse
Encyclopedia
Anthony Maitland Stenhouse (February 21, 1849 – 1927) was a Scottish
-born political figure in British Columbia
. He represented Comox
in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
from 1886 to 1887.
He was born in Edinburgh
, the son of Robert Talbot Stenhouse, was educated privately and then attended the University of Edinburgh
but failed to qualify for the medical school there. In 1884, he travelled to New York City
, continuing on to Vancouver by way of Puget Sound
. He settled in the Comox Valley
in October 1884, acquiring farmland there. During 1887, Stenhouse converted to the Mormon
faith and submitted his resignation from his seat in the assembly in October of that year. He campaigned on behalf of Thomas Basil Humphreys
, who replaced him in the assembly. He originally planned to settle in Utah
but, in 1888, announced his intent to join a Mormon settlement in the Northwest Territories
led by Charles Ora Card
. Although Stenhouse remained a bachelor, he vigorously defended the right of Mormons to practise polygamy
. This in fact led to federal legislation being introduced by Sir John Thompson which declared polygamy to be illegal in Canada. In June 1891, Stenhouse returned to Britain, apparently abandoning the Mormon faith.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born political figure in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He represented Comox
Comox (electoral district)
Comox was a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It was one of the first twelve ridings representing that province upon its joining Confederation, and was a one-member constituency...
in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
from 1886 to 1887.
He was born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the son of Robert Talbot Stenhouse, was educated privately and then attended the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
but failed to qualify for the medical school there. In 1884, he travelled to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, continuing on to Vancouver by way of Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
. He settled in the Comox Valley
Comox Valley
The Comox Valley is a region on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada that includes the city of Courtenay, the town of Comox, the village of Cumberland, and the unincorporated settlements of Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Black Creek and Merville. The communities of Denman...
in October 1884, acquiring farmland there. During 1887, Stenhouse converted to the Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
faith and submitted his resignation from his seat in the assembly in October of that year. He campaigned on behalf of Thomas Basil Humphreys
Thomas Basil Humphreys
Thomas Basil Humphreys was an English-born miner, auctioneer and political figure in British Columbia. He represented Lillooet from 1871 to 1875, Victoria District from 1875 to 1882 and Comox from 1887 to 1890 in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.He was born in Liverpool, the son of...
, who replaced him in the assembly. He originally planned to settle in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
but, in 1888, announced his intent to join a Mormon settlement in the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
led by Charles Ora Card
Charles Ora Card
Charles Ora Card was the founder of the town of Cardston, Alberta, the first Mormon settlement in Canada. He has been referred to as "Canada's Brigham Young"....
. Although Stenhouse remained a bachelor, he vigorously defended the right of Mormons to practise polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
. This in fact led to federal legislation being introduced by Sir John Thompson which declared polygamy to be illegal in Canada. In June 1891, Stenhouse returned to Britain, apparently abandoning the Mormon faith.