Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 278:
Robert Leeming, councillor of the township of Gosfield South, and one of the thrifty farmers of the 4th Concession, descends from a United Empire Loyalist family.
Braithwaite Leeming, his grandfather, was a native of England, and, as a young man, came to America, settling in the States, but during the American Revolution he cast his lot with the Crown, and after that came to Canada, receiving a Loyalist's right in the County of Wentworth, where he settled...After coming to Canada he married Miss Phoebe Land, who also came of U.E.L. stock, and who lived to an advanced age. Their family was as follows: Robert Leeming, father of our subject...
Robert Leeming was born in the township of
Glanford, County of Wentworth, where he grew to manhood. He purchased a farm of 150 acres, near his father's homestead, and there passed his life...He first married Rebecca Shaw, and their children were: ... Robert, Jr...The second marriage of Mr. Leeming was to Lucetta Smith...
Robert Leeming, Jr., was born in the County of Wentworth, June 25, 1853. He obtained a good common school education, and at the age of twenty-two years left home to begin life for himself. His first occupation was farming in the County of Haldimand, where he spent six years. In 1882 he came to the 4th Concession, Gosfield South, and purchased fifty acres, to which he later added fifty more. The land was all unimproved, and he has not only cleared it, but also placed it under cultivation. Every improvement made upon the property is the result of his untiring industry, and he has every reason to be proud of his very excellent farm. He erected the commodious barns and other outbuildings, as well as his comfortable modern house. In politics Mr. Leeming is a Conservative, and for the past eight years he has served as a member of the township council. In religious belief he is a Methodist.
Mr. Leeming has been twice married, first to Eliza Ann McBay, who was born in the County of Haldimand, April 3, 1859, one of the eight children of William and Mary Ann (Palton) McBay, natives of Ireland, who settled in the County of Haldimand, where the father farmed all his days. They were members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Leeming died in 1892, the mother of the following children: Robert and William, who both died young; and Luella and Annie, at home. Mr. Leeming married for his second wife Annie Wigle, who was born July 21, 1871, daughter of Philip and Hannah (Wright) Wigle; she died May 6, 1904, leaving one son, Leroy W. She was a charming woman, devoted to her home, and her death was mourned by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Leeming stands very high in the community.
Leroy W.
Leeming
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