Dr. Frederick J. Leonard, one of the best known physicians of Ilion, New York, was born in Seneca Falls, on February 23, 1886, the son of Edwin J. and Cynthia (Ames) Leonard, who now live in Syracuse, New York. Edwin J. Leonard, now a wholesale coal dealer, was born in Berkshire, New York, and Cynthia (Ames) Leonard was born in Scipio, New York.
Frederick J. Leonard was graduated from the Mynderse Academy at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1905, and from Syracuse Medical College in 1911, with the degree of M. D. He then served as an interne for one year in the Hospital of the Good Shepherd in Syracuse, then came to Ilion, where he has been practicing since that time.
On September 16, 1918, during the World war, Dr. Leonard was commissioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps, and became a member of the M. O. T. C. at Camp Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he did X-ray work for three months. He then went to General Hospital, No. 33, at Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained three months, then was transferred to General Hospital, No. 10, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was honorably discharged on May 28, 1919, after which he returned to Ilion.
On September 25, 1912, Dr. Leonard was married to Mildred K. Fero, who died on February 15, 1920. She was the daughter of David F. and Rose Fero, and was a graduate of the Hospital of the Good Shepherd in Syracuse, class of 1912. On April 4, 1923, Dr. Leonard was married to Miss Edith May Smith, daughter of Frank E. and Mary (Grant) Smith of Ilion. Frank E. Smith is a finish filer for the Remington Arms Company and resides in Ilion. Mrs. Leonard was educated in the Ilion high school and later was employed by the Remington Typewriter Company. She is a member of St. Augustine Episcopal church, the Pythian Sisters, Daughters of Liberty, and the Pocahontas Lodge of Ilion, and she is very musical. Dr. Leonard has an adopted son, Theodore Elbert Leonard, who was born on August 21, 1916.
Dr. Leonard is a member of Ilion Lodge, No. 591, F. & A. M.; Ilion Lodge, No. 1444, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the American Woodmen; all of Ilion. He is also a member of the Delta Tau Delta and of Iota Chapter A. K. K. of Syracuse. His church associations are with the First Presbyterian church of Ilion, and in politics he is a republican. For diversion Dr. Leonard enjoys hunting and fishing.