George Kempt, sheriff of the county of Victoria, born in the ‘town of Cromarty, Scotland, in 1822, is a son of Kenneth and Anne (Williamson) Kempt, members of the agricultural class. The family immigrated to Canada when George was ten years old, and settled in the township of Dummer, Peterborough county, where our subject finished his education in the public schools. At thirteen he commenced learning the mercantile business, and was in trade for himself in the county of Peterborough until 1853, when he removed to Lindsay, the seat of justice of the county of Victoria. Here he was a general merchant, an extensive lumber dealer and grain buyer, till appointed sheriff in 1872. Mr. Kempt had previously been a town and county councilor, and was member for the south riding of Victoria, of the first Dominion Parliament, being elected in 1867, and serving the full term of five years. His politics are Liberal; he was chairman of the Reform Committee for the county at one time; was formerly very active as well as influential in his party, but latterly has paid little attention to politics.
His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church, in which he was reared, and where his standing is good.
In September, 1849, Mr. Kempt married Miss Annie Jane Macaulay, of Trenton, county of Hastings, and daughter of Denis Macaulay, merchant.
Our subject has a very solid build, is five feet nine inches in height, and weighs 280 pounds. He has a florid complexion, a face that smiles easily and often, a very cordial address, and as much bonhomie as flesh.