James Leigh and Sons
James Leigh and Sons is a firm that has maintained a high reputation ever since its founding in Victoria over fifteen years ago, and the extent and high class of all its manufactured products and the integrity and business ability of its individual members are estimated among the most valuable assets of the prosperity and general advancement of this city. The firm manufacture lumber and all kinds of building material, such as doors, sash and blinds, mantles, and all wood finishings used for building purposes. Their mills are located in Victoria, and their trade extends throughout the northwest and is constantly being increased under the able and progressive management of the members of the firm.
The founder of this large enterprise was Mr. James Leigh, deceased, whose life of broad and useful activity is deserving of special notice. Born in Herefordshire, Wales, in 1826, and married there to Miss Jane Jones, a native of the same locality, he some time later, with their son Albert, emigrated to the state of New York, locating in that state in 1848. He later removed from New York state to Ontario, locating at Kingston. At Port Hope and New Castle he was engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and for a number of years had charge of the work of the Massey Company located at New Castle. He then went to Ponto Pool, and was the builder of the first circular sawmill in that county. He afterward moved to Orono and established extensive machine works there, which works are still carried on by the oldest son, Albert.
Another enterprise of this active man was the erection of a flouring mill in Belleville and also one at Penetanguishene, the latter of which he conducted until he came out to this province, and in partnership with Mr. Synder, built a sawmill at Gold Stream in 1888. This was conducted for two years, and in 1890-91 Mr. Leigh built the mill at Victoria and began his connection with the manufacturing affairs of this city. This is a steam mill and has a daily capacity, of ten hours running, of twenty-five thousand feet of lumber, and in connection is a shingle mill which turns out every ten hours of operation fifty thousand shingles. The raw lumber material for this extensive manufacture is at present purchased from other lumbermen, but the company has a heavily timbered tract four miles square, and this will be utilized in the near future. The excellent wood products of this firm find ready sale in this part of the country, and are held in high repute wherever used.
Mr. James Leigh died in 1898, aged seventy-three years, after a career of continued activity and usefulness from his earliest until his last years. He was a member of the Church of England, a man of known high character and integrity, and made a fine record in every undertaking. His good wife survives him and is now seventy-seven years of age.
The sons, John L. and Sidney Minton, are the present owners of the Victoria business, and are still conducting it under the name by which it has become so well known to business circles. John L. Leigh was born in Ponto Pool, Ontario, in 1861, and his brother S. M. was born in Orono in 1867. Both were reared to the lumber manufacturing business, and are practical and capable business men, endowed with all the qualities that insure success. Mr. J. L. Leigh was married in 1894 to Miss Laura E. LaPage, a native of Guernsey Island, England. Their three children, all born in Victoria, are Victor, Edna and Byron. Mr. S. M. Leigh married Miss Charlotte Mason, a native of Ireland, and their four children are Nora, Albert, Ethel and Sidney Minton. Both families are Methodists in religion, and enjoy the high esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
R. E. Gosnell, A History of British Columbia, (Vancouver, B. C.: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906). pp. 676-677.