Career
He represented 4th Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1879 to 1893 as a Conservative member. Born in Margate, Prince Edward Island, he was the son of Thomas Bentley and Hannah Smith, and was educated there. He served on the Executive Council as Commissioner of Public Works from 1887 to 1890 and as Provincial Secretary-treasurer and Commissioner of Crown Lands from 1890 to 1891.
He was defeated when he ran for re-election in 1893.