He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1927 to 1932, as a member of the Progressive Party.
[1] Born in Shelburne, Canada West, McCleary came to Minitonas, Manitoba and settled on a Dominion Lands Act homestead in the Ravensworth district.
[3] In 1920, he was president of a small local organization called the "People's Independent Party".
He sought the nomination of this party for the constituency of Swan River in the 1920 provincial election, but lost to Robert Emmond.
[2] During his time in the legislature, McCleary was a backbench supporter of John Bracken's government.