John P. Leisenring was a native of Northumberland county. He was born on the 23rd of December, 1816, and died at his residence, on Mahoning street, Danville, on the 7th of September, 1870, consequently he was nearly fifty-four years of age. He came to Danville about 1848 and established a picture gallery which soon won the popular favor. He was a strictly honest man and a model of industry. As an artist he was ambitious to keep pace with the rapid improvements in his profession; and by his skill and fair dealing, he kept up a flourishing business in his photographic gallery for more than twenty years. During this time he acquired some property, and found himself in easy circumstances. He was a good citizen, attending to his own business, but was always ready and prompt to aid others, or to contribute to any good cause, civil or religious. In him the suffering and the needy always found a friend. To many other excellent traits of character may be justly added that of "peace-maker." During the latter part of his life, he thought and spoke much of the life which is to come - of that undiscovered country that lies beyond the life that now is, and in his lingering illness of eight months duration, he bore his suffereings with the fortitude and the resignation of a Christian. He was a member of the First Baptist church in this place, but now we trust of the church above. In him I, with many others lost a true and steadfast frienc; but out loss for a season, is his gain for ever.
His son, Henry H. Leisenring still continues the business and enjoys an extensive patronage. His gallery is now in the Montgomery building.
