Born in Wickham, Quebec, settled in Waterloo March 1866. Was an advocate.
Secretary-Treasurer for Waterloo and Township for five years.

Married Marie Adelaide Capitoline Gendreau on July 1, 1867, in Waterloo, Quebec.

Brome County Register, May 21, 1880 (National Library of Canada microfilm #NJ.FM.793
The newspaper reports that J.F. Leonard of Waterloo narrowly escaped death Tuesday evening last while trying to board the Waterloo and Magog train as it was moving from the depot. "On the jostling he missed his footing and dropped between the cars, and but for his own strong grip and the timely assistance of some half a dozen others standing near must, immediately, have been drawn under. Fortunately, he sustained no serious damage."

Moved to Sweetsburg, Quebec, and became a protonotary for Bedford district in 1881.
Lived in a house next to the courthouse and gaol.

1911 Canada Census: Quebec, District 175, Missisquoi. Subdistrict 37, village of Sweetsburg.
Leonard, John F. Married. born Dec. 1836. age 74. Born Quebec. Ethnic: Irish. Nationality: Canadian. Religion: Roman Catholic. Occupation: Protonotary.

Their children are:
Alfred John Ernest (1868-1936) (m. Alice Helena Jones)
Anonyme (boy -1870)
Edmond Pierre (1871-1873)
Anonyme (boy - 1872)
Frederick Henry Gendreau (1873-1947) (m. Clara Ethel Ostrom)
Francis Joseph (1875-1937) "Frank"
Laura Ernestine (1877-1979) (m. De Lourdes Lippé)
Louis Edmond (1879-1915)
Maria Anna Adelaide (1881-1953) ("Addy" m. Leo Senecal)
Wilfrid Michael (1883-1948) (m. Evelyn Macconnal)
Georges Oscar Victor (1886- )
Lionel Arthur (1883-1977) (m. Mary Louise Scheie)
Berthe Lillie May (1891-1973) (m. Raymond Nelson Ruiter)

Bedford news, Jan. 12, 1912: (National Library of Canada microfilm #NJ.FM.882
The funeral of John F. Leonard, joint prothonotary of the District of Bedford, was held in Sweetsburg on Tuesday by Rev. Father Messier. He is survived by his wife and children: Ernest, Fred, Frank, Edmond, Wilfred, George, Delles [should be Lionel], Laura, May and Mrs. Senecal of Plattsburg, N.Y.
[Sweetsburg was later absorbed into Cowansville]