William Elsey Connelley

“ One of the very successful contractors at Topeka is John M. Leeper, who when a young man learned the trade of brick mason, and on that trade as a foundation has built up a large business in brick contracting and the services of his organization has entered into the construction of several of the most conspicuous public buildings in the state. He is a native of Kansas and was born in Lyon County, September 6, 1872, when that section of the state was still well out on the frontier. ”

“ To mention only a few of the important contracts he has handled, he put in the brick work for the Memorial Building, for the state printing plant, for the Warren M. Crosby Dry Goods Building, for the Young Men's Christian Association Building, the Palace Clothing Company Building, and the Mrs. ”