He was born near Coleraine in 1828,[1] the son of John McLeese and Jennie McArthur, both of Scottish descent, and was educated in Dublin.
Five years later, he moved to the Cariboo District, settling at Soda Creek.
[1] He served as postmaster for Soda Creek, the post office being located in his hotel.
[3] McLeese ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the assembly in an 1879 by-election held following the death of John Evans.
[1] McLeese died in Soda Creek in 1898; his death record states his age as 69.