Was born at Mortloch, Banffshire, Scotland, on the 5th June, 1836. After serving some time in Aberdeen in the dry goods business in different establishments, so well did he show his ability in this department, that on an offer being given him for
Canada far more propitious than that of the Old Country, he left Aberdeen and arrived in Montreal in May, 1863 entering the employ of the firm of William Stephen & Co.  For years Mr. Cantlie was employed in buying in England for the firm, continuing thus till the firm emerged into its present name of Robertson, Linton & Co. After this he did not continue long with the new firm, entering into a co-partnership with Alexander Ewing and William Stephen, in the firm of Cantlie, Ewing & Co.  He was elected President of the Dominion Commercial Travellers' Association of Montreal  in 1880, and by acclamation in 1881.  He was the mainspring in the suits connected with the commercial tax laid on travellers in New Brunswick and Quebec, and effected a lasting cure for a barbarous and feudal law and system which then prevailed.  He is still devoted to his business, and is now
one of the most successful merchants of the city.

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