George Leake (merchant) explained

George Leake
Birth Date:1786
Death Place:Perth, Western Australia
Nationality:British
Occupation:Banker
Spouse:Anne (Growse) Leake
Children:Ann Elizabeth Leake
Parents:Luke Leake
Ann Heading

George Leake (1786 - 1849) was a wealthy landholder in the early days of the Swan River Colony. Backed with considerable assets, Leake supported many of the early settlers of the colony who were struggling financially.

Biography

Early life

George Leake was born in 1786 in London, England. His father was Luke Leake, and his mother, Ann (née Heading, 1758–1836). He arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia in the in August 1829 and quickly established himself as a merchant.

Career

He was instrumental in the establishment of the first Bank of Western Australia which was established in June 1837, becoming its first chairman of directors. In 1839, he was one of four unofficial nominees of the Western Australian Legislative Council, retaining his seat until his death. He was appointed magistrate in 1839 and was made chairman of the Perth Town Trust (later to become Perth City Council).

Personal life

He married Anne Growse, who died in 1815 leaving him with one daughter, Ann Elizabeth.

His nephew, George Walpole Leake, was a prominent Western Australian barrister and magistrate and father[1] of George Leake, Premier of Western Australia from 1901 to 1902.

Death

He died on 31 May 1849 in Perth, Western Australia.[2]

See also

References

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: Family Notices . . 8 . 463 . Western Australia . 5 December 1856 . 11 March 2019 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Family Notices . . 2 . 74 . Western Australia . 1 June 1849 . 30 September 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.