Cantor, Jacob A. (Jacob Aaron), 1854-1921

Jacob Aaron Cantor (December 6, 1854 – July 2, 1921) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a U.S. Representative from New York's 20th congressional district from November 1913 to March 1915.

Born in New York City, he attended the public schools there. Cantor worked as a reporter for the New York World from 1872 to 1877. At the same time he studied law at the City College of New York, graduated in 1875, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in New York City. A delegate to the 1884 Democratic National Convention, he was elected to the New York State Assembly from the 23rd district that year and served three one-year terms. In 1887, he was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 10th (1888-1893), 14th (1894-1895), and 20th (1896-1898) districts there and serving as President pro tempore from 1892 to 1893. He unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 15th congressional district in 1894.

In 1901, Cantor was elected Manhattan borough President as the fusion candidate of anti-Tammany Hall Democrats, Republicans, and the Citizens Union party. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1903. Cantor was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Francis Burton Harrison, and served from November 4, 1913, to March 3, 1915. He unsuccessfully contested the election of Isaac Siegel to the 64th United States Congress. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in New York City. He was President of the New York City Department of Taxes and Assessments from 1918 until his death. He died at his home at in Manhattan and was buried at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.