A Democratic-Republican, he was most notable for his service as a member of the New York State Senate and First Judge of the Greene County Court.
[1][2] He graduated from Princeton University in 1796, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Greene County, New York.
[1] A longtime member of the New York Militia, Cantine served as inspector of the 4th Brigade with the rank of major.
[1] In addition to publishing the newspaper, Cantine and Leake received appointment as the official state printers.
[12] Cantine was married to Christina Hoes (1780-1823), the sister of Martin Van Buren's wife Hannah.