Education
Born in Castleton, Roxburghshire, Scotland, Telford was educated at public schools in Dumfries, Waterloo County, Sydenham, Grey County and at the Toronto Normal School.
Born in Castleton, Roxburghshire, Scotland, Telford was educated at public schools in Dumfries, Waterloo County, Sydenham, Grey County and at the Toronto Normal School.
Telford spent three years in stone cutting and building, the next 14 years in teaching, holding a first class certificate at the expiration of that period, and two or three years in building operations. He then became a banker. Telford was president of the Sun Portland Cement Company and Manager of the Grey and Bruce Loan Company.
He was with his regiment during the Fenian raids in 1866.
A Liberal, he was defeated in 1908. He marred Margaret Couper in 1867.
He was a member of the Owen Sound Town Council, before being elected to the Canadian House of Commons for Grey North in the 1904 federal election.