Census records indicate that Leonard was born in Baden, Germany, raised in Allegheny Township, Cambria Co., Pa., and had his own farm in Carroll Township. In 1867, he was called for jury duty for the September session of the Cambra County courts in Ebensburg.
In 1890, he was a farmer and stock raiser, 1 1/2 miles west of Carrolltown, Pa., on the river road, with 5 veins of coal on his property. On July 4 of that year, Leonard’s first cousin Charles Farabaugh attended a picnic at the farm. Three of Leonard’s boys got into Charles’ spring wagon, “when the horses, both young, got frightened, wheeled around suddenly and started running down the hill until they reached a bend in the road where the horses, wagon and occupants were thrown in a pile in the fence corner. One little boy was badly cut about the head. Mr. Farabaugh was badly injured about the head, shoulders and hips by being kicked with the horses and the other two childen were slightly scratched. The wagon was a total wreck and the horses badly hurt. At the latest accounts all were getting along well and Mr. Farabaugh, although still feeling the effects of his injuries was able to be about.”
Leonard’s 1896 Will indicates that he lived in Carroll Township. It specified that $50 be set aside for the reading of memorial Masses, bequeathed a life estate to his wife Mary Ann, and direceted that all property be divided equally to their children upon her death. Mary Ann and son Anthony were appointed co-execurors, and Mary Ann was given the power to sell coal rights from the real property.
Leonard died of cerebral meningitis in 1897.

Mary Ann departed La Havre, France, on the passenger ship Excelsior of Boston, with her mother Apollonia and brothers Franz Ignaz, Theodor and Leopold. The ship had 178 passengers, stopped in New York City and then landed in Baltimore on June 10, 1846. Census records erroneously listed the immigration year as 1847 or 1853. Although her given maiden name was Becker, she assumed the surname "Baker," as evidenced by several of her children's obituaries.

After her husband Leonard died in 1897, Mary Ann remained for a time in the family home in Carroll Township, Cambria Co., Pa., for which the title had passed to her son Martin. The 100 acre farm was sold to J.W. Dunwiddie and Jacob F. Hirsh for $8,000 on May 31, 1900. The home was evidently retained. Martin’s Will bequeathed the property to his brother Anselm and granted Mary Ann the use of two rooms, a garden, potato patch and the pasture with one cow, durig her lifetime. Martin’s obituary in 1905 indicates she was still living there. However, by 1910, Mary Ann was living with her widowed daughter Melinda and her six sons in Johnstown, Pa.