Michael J. Leonard, superintendent of the Prudential Insurance Company at New Haven, was born in Adams, Massachusetts, December 3, 1869. He belongs to an old Massachusetts family of English descent. His father, David W. Leonard, a native of the Bay state, was a mechanic who in his business career won a substantial measure of success, although he passed away in Adams, Massachusetts, in 1884, when but forty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Feely, was a native of Ireland. With her parents she came to America, the family home being established in Massachusetts, where she was reared. In Pittsfield, that state, she became the wife of David W. Leonard and to them were born nine children, of whom five are living. The mother passed away in 1884 and was also forty years of age at the time of her demise.
     Michael J. Leonard, second of the family, was educated in the public schools of Albany. Later in life he took a course in the Albany Business College, being graduated in 1896. He then entered the employ of the Prudential Insurance Company at Glenns Falls, New York, as an agent and after a year was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent at Ithaca, New York. He served in that capacity for two years, on the expiration of which period, or on the 1st of January, 1899, he was made superintendent for the company at New Haven. Here he has since remained and has made a most capable official in his present position. The business of the company at New Haven was a very small one when he took charge, but under his able direction has steadily grown until the agency force of fifteen has developed into a sales force of fifty-two with a proportionate increase in the volume of business annually done. Mr. Leonard is thoroughly familiar with every phase of insurance and his efforts have brought excellent results.
     On the 15th of May, 1903, Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Anna Brady, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Bernard and Anna Brady. They have one child, Marion, born October 28, 1904. The parents are members of St. Brendan's parish, being communicants of the Catholic faith. In politics Mr. Leonard is a democrat and he belongs to the chamber of commerce, cooperating heartily in the work of that organization for the upbuilding and devel-opment of the city.