Harry H. Bentley

Harry Bentley (1852–1922) (sometimes written as Henry Bentley) was a politician in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. He was the city's second and fifth mayor sitting in office during 1892–1893 and 1896–1898. His great grandson is former Alberta MLA Jim Dinning. [cite web
last = Staples
first = David
title = Jim Dinning, a hero to his own nanny, would have made an excellent premier
date = 2006-12-20
url = http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/blog/staples.html?post=5907
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ] Bentley also served as president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in 1894 and again during 1896–1898. [cite web
title = Annual Review 200–2004
publisher = Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
url = http://www.lethbridgechamber.com/reports/2003-2004.pdf
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ]

Born in Strathroy, Ontario, Bentley married Margaret Lettice West in 1883. They had three children together and moved to Lethbridge in 1885, where he opened a dry good store in 1885 on the main street in Lethbridge.cite web
title = Bentley, Henry
work = Pioneer Profiles
publisher = Southern Alberta Pioneers and Their Descendants
url = http://www.pioneersalberta.org/profiles/b.html
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ] In fact, he was the first merchant in the settlement. [cite web
title = Lethbridge - A Visual History
work = An Alberta Centennial Project - 2005
publisher = OurHistory.net
url = http://www.ourheritage.net/index_page_stuff/Local_History_Links/Lethbridge_visual/Lethbridge_gps11-15.html
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ]

After his predecessor Charles Magrath decided not to seek reelection because of pressure at his company, Bentley — who was then town alderman — was appointed by acclamation as mayor.cite web
last = Obee
first = Dave
title = Lethbridge 1891: A settlement becomes a town
url = http://www.daveobee.com/resources/lethbridge1891.pdf
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ] Most of his term was spent dealing with the local effects of a worldwide economic depression. The North Western Coal and Navigation Company, one of the area's largest employers was hit with closures and layoffs, and town growth practically ceased. at the end of his second term, Bentley saw interest in local settlement increase and the NWCNC's financial performance improve. [cite web
title = Lethbridge Mayors Each Left a Legacy
publisher = Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
work = 2006 Lethbridge Centennial Celebrations
url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/C8DB8967-4FC8-4417-8D8F-175C6BE66B52/7432/MayorCouncil1.pdf
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ]

Bentley served on the executive committees of the Lethbridge Baseball Club, Lethbridge Lacrosse Club and the Lethbridge Rugby Football Union. He was also chairman of the town's immigration committee. In addition, the land for the first fire hall was purchased from him.

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