Francis Baxter Leys

Francis Baxter Leys (March 14, 1839 – September 11, 1905) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He represented London in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1898 to 1901 and in 1902 as a Liberal.[1]

Francis Baxter Leys
Ontario MPP
In office
1898–1902
Preceded byThomas Saunders Hobbs
Succeeded byAdam Beck
ConstituencyLondon
Personal details
Born(1839-03-14)March 14, 1839
Pickering Township, Upper Canada
DiedSeptember 11, 1905(1905-09-11) (aged 66)
Middlesex County, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
Carrie T. Thompson
​
(m. 1866)​
RelationsJohn Leys, brother
OccupationBusinessman

The son of Francis Leys, a native of Scotland, he was born in Pickering township and was educated at the Toronto Academy. Leys spent four years in British Guiana; when he returned to Canada, he was named paymaster for the Western District. In 1866, he married Carrie T. Thompson. In 1872, Leys became manager of the Dominion Savings and Investment Society. He also served as a school trustee for London South.[1]

Leys was elected in 1898; later that year, charges of numerous violations of election law were brought against him[2] but the charges were dismissed and Leys retained his seat.[3] He resigned his seat in 1901 and was reelected in a by-election held in 1902.[1]

A normal school was built in London (London Normal School) in 1898 thanks to the efforts of Leys and Ontario premier George William Ross.[4]

His brother John also served in the Ontario assembly.[5]

References
  1. Magurn, Arnott J (1901). Canadian Parliamentary Guide.
  2. "Gross Corruption Charged". Daily Mail and Empire. November 9, 1898. p. 7.
  3. Journals of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario. 1898. p. 41.
  4. "London Normal School". London Public Library.
  5. Farewell, John Edwin Chandler (1907). Ontario County. p. 14.


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