History of the NWMP

 James Alexander Farquharson Macleod


James A.F. Macleod was born in Scotland, the son of Martin Donald Macleod and Jane Fry. The family moved to Upper Canada in 1845.  James received his BA from Queen's in 1860.

He served under Colonel Wolsley during the 1870 Riel Rebellion.  In 1873, he accepted the position of Assistant Commissioner in the newly-formed North West Mounted Police,and following year led a police column to southern Alberta and established Fort Macleod.  In 1875, he sent troops to establish Fort Walsh and Fort Calgary.  He served as Commissioner of the NWMP from 1876 until 1880.

As Commissioner, he successfully negotiated Treaty 7 in 1877.  When he resigned from the Force in 1880, he moved to Pincher Creek and devoted himself to judicial duties.  He was only one of three magistrates in the North West Territories. From 1887 until his death, he was judge of the Supreme Court of the North West Territories.  He married Mary Isabella Drever and they had four daughters (Helen, Jean, Mary M., Roma) and a son (Norman T.).