Born in Ohio, McCleary settled in Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa Territory in 1839.
McCleary served in the Iowa Territorial House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and was a Democrat.
He served as speaker of the Iowa Territorial House of Representatives.
From 1850 to 1856, McCleary served as Iowa Secretary of State.
This article about an Iowa politician is a stub.