He was born near New Town, Frederick county, Virginia, March 25, 1825, and is the son of John B and Ann S. (Carson) McLeod, both natives of that same county. The elder McLeod was a practicing physician, who for 30 years followed his profession in and around New town. He was a man of considerable ability, and served his county in the legislature of his native state for two years. He died in McDonough county, in 1865, while on a visit to his son William. Dr. McLeod lived upon a farm adjoining the village of New Town, and here the subject of this sketch passed his early life. Until 18 years of age he passed his time in working upon the farm and in attending the select school of the village, where he made rapid progress in securing an education. When he reached the above mentioned age, he engaged with a firm in New Town to lean the trade of carpenter, choosing this rather than the profession that his parents desired him to study. At this trade he labored for eleven years, becoming quite proficient in all its branches. In 1850 Mr. McLeod left his native state, and for several years resided in Palmyra, Missouri. Here he continued to follow his trade, and for a time, in company with a Mr. Phelps, under the firm name of Phelps and McLeod, carried on the business of lumber dealers in addition to contracting and building. Many of the public and private buildings of Palmyra were erected under his supervision. In 1858 Mr. McLeod received the appointment from the governor to superintend the enlargement of the state penitentiary at Jefferson City, Missouri, and while attending to the work, he received word of the sudden and dangerous illness of his wife, who was then on a visit to relatives in this county. Leaving the work in charge of another, he hastened to the bedside of his wife, expecting to return as soon as possible to finish his contract, but circumstances conspired to prevent this, and compelling him to resign the position. Some years previous to this, he had visited this county, and was impressed with the fertility of its soil and the natural advantages which it enjoyed. He now determined on locating here and making this his future home. That decision he has never regretted. He came to McDonough county in October, 1858, and settled upon section 14, Emmett township, where he has since continued to reside. Mr. McLeod has been twice married; first to Mary W. Miller, daughter of Robert F. Miller, one of the pioneers of old McDonough county; second to Martha E. Simpson, of Warren county, Virginia. Eight children were the result of the first union, five girls and three boys, four of whom yet live, the rest, with the mother, having crossed over the river. Mrs. McLeod died in May, 1865. The second marriage of Mr. McLeod occurred October 5, 1868. They have had two children, one living. While a citizen of Palmyra, Mr. McLeod held the offices of constable and city marshal some years Since coming to McDonough county, he has held the offces of town clerk, collector and treasurer, and for 17 years was a member of the board of supervisors, a great part of the time chairman of the board. In the discharge of his official duties he brought to bear upon his labors a zeal which, united with a determined will, enabled him to accomplish a great amount of work. No man that has ever lived in the county, took more interest in its affairs, or devoted more time to its improvement. By the board of supervisors he was appointed to superintend the erection of the new jail building for the county, a work which he discharged to the satisfaction not only of that body, but the people at large. In 1885, Mr. McLeod removed from this county, going back to his native state, Virginia. In politics Mr. McLeod has always been a consistent democrat, the principles of that party being dear to his heart. As a democrat he has always been elected to office, and no man labors more zealously for the success of the general and local tickets of the party.
Source: History of McDonough County. pp288-290