McLeese Family Profile
McLeese Lake just north of Williams Lake in the Cariboo was named for pioneer Robert McLeese.
This pioneer family profile is being compiled from public records. Thank you to Linda Harper for sharing some of her family information. Please forward any comments/corrections or additions to Wanda Story.
-Robert McLeese was born in either 1825 or 1830. Two different death registrations were made in 1898 when he died.
1848 - Around this time Mary Sinclair McLaren was born in Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada.
1863 - Robert McLeese registered his homestead near Soda Creek in the Cariboo. McLeese Lake would be named for him.
1872 - Robert McLeese was the first post master of Soda Creek. He would hold the position for 25 years, until his death in 1898.
-Robert McLeese married Mary Sinclair McLaren.
1875 - The BC Voters list shows Robert McLeese as a hotel operator in Soda Creek and John McLeese as a farmer in Soda Creek.
1876 - Roberts infant daughter Ann Woodside McLeese died on April 2nd and 2 days later his wife Mary Sinclair McLaren also died. They were buried at the Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria. The tombstone reads as follows:
SACRED
To the Memory of
MARY S. McLAREN.
Born in Renfrew Co. Ont.
The beloved Wife of
ROBERT McLEESE
Died 4th April. 1876
Aged 28 Years
ALSO ANN WOODSIDE,
Infant daughter
Of the above
Obit 2nd April 1876
I am the resurrection
and the life.
St. John XI.XXV.
1881 - Robert McLeese is listed in the 1881 Census in the district of Quesnel Mouth & Soda Creek & Keithly Creek, Cariboo, British Columbia. He is listed as 54 years old, a widow, a merchant and of the Wesleyan Methodist religion. He is living with two other men in his house - 54 year old Charles Towns a labourer born in England and 55 year old Charles Hindes a clerk also born in England.
1886 - William Gibson, the husband of Annie McDonald, died on the June 5 at the age of 45 years in Nanaimo (Death registration number 1886-09-043791).
1887 - Annie Gibson nee McDonald, died in June and is listed as "from Savona, BC". It is believed that William and Annie Gibson had 5 children. Robert McLeese became the guardian of 3 year old William Robert Gibson and Pauline May Gibson. It is believed there were also three older sisters that were taken in by other family. In the newspaper announcing Annie McDonald's marriage, Annie was described as the niece of Robert McLeese. There is a John McLeese listed as a farmer in Soda Creek under the Williams Lake Directory. Robert McLeese is not listed.
1890 - Robert McLeese filed a civil complaint/appeal against Charles Connors.
1894 - The Williams Lake Voters list shows Robert McLeese, a hotel keeper in Soda Creek and John McLeese a farmer in Soda Creek.
1893 - Robert McLeese is listed as the post master at Soda Creek in a BC Postmasters hand book.
1895 - The Soda Creek Directory lists, John McLeese as a farmer and Robert McLeese as the post master.
-Robert McLeese is said to have also operated a store and a sternwheeler steamer.
1897 - Robert McLeese filed 8 civil complaints/appeals. They were against John Sellars, A.C. McDonald, Frank Isnardy, Gabriel Belanger, Donat Belanger, John Patterson, J. L. King and A. Barlow
1898 - There are two death registrations listed with the BC Government for Robert McLeese. Robert McLeese died on March 27th at the age of 68 years in Soda Creek. (BC Death Reg. Number: 1898-09-011379, B.C. Archives Microfilm Number: B13078) and Robert McLeese died on March 27th at the age of 73 in the Quesnel District (which would include Soda Creek) (BC Death Reg. Number: 1898-09-233179, B.C. Archives Microfilm Number: B13113) The 1898 Voters list for BC show John McLeese as a farmer in Soda Creek. On the first of May Miss Jean S. McLeese is appointed the new post master at Soda Creek. She would hold that position for about 8 years until 1906.
1901 - Young William Robert Gibson who Robert McLeese became guardian over in 1887, now 17 years is living in South Nanaimo with George and Margaret McGregor and listed as their step-son.
1972 - William Robert Gibson died in Vancouver at the age of about 88 years. His death certificate was filled out by social services and no relatives are listed.
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Comments and corrections always welcome !!
First posted February 2001, Last updated 24 October, 2004