In 1889 and 1890 he also took special courses in the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat at New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital.

From 1875 until 1879, he practiced his profession in Sydney, when he entered the political field and was elected to the House of Commons of Canada succeeding his brother, Hugh McLeod, to represent the riding of Cape Breton.

In 1886, he organized the Sydney Battery of Field Artillery (Canadian Militia), of which he was the Major in command.

His second wife, née Jessie McIntosh (1867–1935) was a key leader in the Women's Missionary Society, Eastern Division, and opposed the formation of the United Church of Canada.

On Mr. McLeod's death, 5 August 1879 This article incorporates text from The Canadian album: men of Canada, Vol.