The Heart of a Legacy

As seen in the Tried & True Winter 2025 issue

A Legacy Born from Hardship

In the quaint, Midwestern town of Atlanta, Illinois, where the fields stretch wide and the days start early, a legacy was born over a century ago. It was here, among the hardworking families of German immigrants, that Clarence Leesman took his first steps into a life defined by grit, determination and an unwavering commitment to his family and community. As Leesman Tiling celebrates its 100th anniversary, this is more than just a story about a successful business–it’s a tribute to the values and spirit of a man whose work ethic continues to resonate through the generations.

Clarence Leesman was born in 1909, one of five siblings, including his twin brother, in a family that knew the meaning of hard times. The Leesman family settled in Atlanta, a small town that would become the backdrop for Clarence’s life of perseverance. His father had immigrated from Germany, bringing with him the values of hard work and dedication, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. These values were put to the test when Clarence had to quit school in the sixth grade to help support his family during the Great Depression.

With a spade and shovel, Clarence began laying clay field tile to drain farmland, working long hours under the sun. It was grueling work, but it was necessary to keep his family fed. Clarence’s approach to work was summed up in his famous saying, “A man’s gonna have to start early, stay late and pack a lunch.” These words weren’t just a motto; they were the foundation upon which he built his life and his business.

Building a Business, One Shovelful at a Time

For decades, Clarence dug trenches by hand, laying up to 600 feet of tile on a good day. The work was exhausting, but Clarence never wavered. Those who knew him described him as having the build of a linebacker with a huge, muscular back and shoulders. It wasn’t until the late 1950s that he acquired his first backhoe, and in the 1970s, he purchased a trencher. These machines made the work easier, but they never replaced the work ethic that had carried him through the toughest of times.

Clarence’s business grew steadily, rooted in the local community. After all, he was a local man, dedicated to his neighbors and friends. When the city of Atlanta installed its sewer system during the 1980s, Clarence and his family were there, laying the sewer lines with the same care and precision that had defined his work for decades. Even as he aged, Clarence remained a powerful figure, still strong and capable into his early 80s.

Clarence passed away on December 31, 1996, at the age of 87, but his legacy lives on. His grandson, Mark Leesman, who had grown up working alongside Clarence, took over the business. Mark, who will turn 60 this year, carries with him the lessons he learned from his grandfather–lessons about hard work, integrity and the importance of family.

Passing the Torch: The Next Generation

Mark remembers the early days when he was just a boy, sitting on a machine with his grandfather, learning everything he could. By the time Mark was five, he was already helping out on job sites, a small but determined presence, carrying a 12-foot survey stick and doing whatever he could to contribute. It was more than just work; it was a way of life. Mark reminisced when recalling the times Clarence would pull him out of school as early as the eighth grade with a truckload of pipe that he needed to get in the ground. Mark laughed, “My mom would get so mad.” But Clarence would say, “You don’t need no schooling.”

Today, Mark’s son, Dustin, is the next in line to carry on the Leesman legacy. Dustin, who started helping out at the age of four, now runs the crew at Leesman. The business remains a family affair, with each generation learning from the one before it, ensuring that the values of hard work and dedication remain at the core of everything they do.

Mark speaks with pride about his son’s role in the company.  

I handle the sales and the behind-the-scenes work, but Dustin is the one out there every day, making sure we continue to uphold the standards my grandfather set. 

It’s clear that the Leesman legacy is in good hands, as Dustin prepares to take over the business when Mark retires.

A Partnership Forged in Trust

One of the key factors in the company’s continued success has been its partnership with Fratco, a supplier that shares the same values that the Leesman family holds dear. Mark recalls how, years ago, he found himself in a bind with a supplier who couldn’t deliver the needed materials on time. Frustrated and running out of options, Mark reached out to Chad Nicholson at Fratco on a Friday, desperate for help. By Monday, the pipe was delivered, and Mark knew he had found more than just a supplier–he had found a partner.

“Within a year, I was 100% Fratco,” Mark says. But the partnership wasn’t just about the product. It was about the people. Chad, like Clarence, understood the value of hard work and the importance of trust. “Chad is just a good old boy that I can relate to,” Mark adds. “Everyone at Fratco is a breath of fresh air. I wish I had made the move 30 years ago.”

The relationship between Leesman and Fratco is built on more than just business; it’s built on shared experiences and mutual respect. Chad and Mark have become friends, sharing hunting stories and family updates. All of the Fratco team members have become people Mark can rely on without question. “If I call the office, they have never made me wait more than two days for a delivery,” Mark says. “Usually, I get it the next day–and I save money too.”

Honoring a Century of Service

As Leesman Tiling celebrates its centennial, Mark reflects on the path that brought them here. The business that Clarence built from nothing has not only survived but thrived, thanks to the values he instilled in his family. Mark is considering how best to honor his grandfather’s memory as part of the anniversary celebrations.

“He was very well-liked in town,” Mark recalls. “As he got older, he started going to the coffee shop, and by the time he passed, he had six or eight tables pulled together with him in the middle, telling stories and making everyone laugh. He was a character, and he loved this town.”

In the end, the story of Leesman Tiling is one of family, hard work and the enduring power of a legacy. As the company looks to the future, with Dustin ready to take the helm, the spirit of Clarence Leesman remains at the heart of everything they do. It’s a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come–rooted in the simple idea that a man’s gonna have to start early, stay late and pack a lunch.