John McLeod (Canada West politician)
Encyclopedia
John McLeod was a Scottish
-born merchant and political figure in Canada West. He represented Essex
in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
from 1858 to 1861 as a Conservative.
He was born in Edinburgh
, the son of John McLeod and Ann Gordon, and came to Pictou, Nova Scotia
with his family in 1832. McLeod was studying law and went to New York City
with the intent of continuing his studies, but instead took a job as a clerk in a dry goods store. He entered business as a merchant in Detroit, later moving to Amherstburg
. McLeod was also involved in shipbuilding and operated a distillery. In 1838, he married Mary Kenyon. In 1857, he defeated Arthur Rankin
to win a seat in the assembly for the Province of Canada. McLeod died in Amherstburg at the age of 71.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born merchant and political figure in Canada West. He represented Essex
Essex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada was the lower house of the legislature for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the...
from 1858 to 1861 as a Conservative.
He was born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the son of John McLeod and Ann Gordon, and came to Pictou, Nova Scotia
Pictou, Nova Scotia
Pictou is a town in Pictou County, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Located on the north shore of Pictou Harbour, the town is approximately 10 km north of the larger town of New Glasgow....
with his family in 1832. McLeod was studying law and went to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with the intent of continuing his studies, but instead took a job as a clerk in a dry goods store. He entered business as a merchant in Detroit, later moving to Amherstburg
Amherstburg, Ontario
Amherstburg is a Canadian town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario. It is approximately south of the U.S...
. McLeod was also involved in shipbuilding and operated a distillery. In 1838, he married Mary Kenyon. In 1857, he defeated Arthur Rankin
Arthur Rankin
Arthur Rankin was a surveyor, entrepreneur and political figure in Canada West.He was born in Montreal in 1816, the son of Irish immigrants. He ran away from home and became a cabin boy. In 1835, he returned to Canada, then qualified as a surveyor and moved to the Windsor area. In 1837, he...
to win a seat in the assembly for the Province of Canada. McLeod died in Amherstburg at the age of 71.