Purchase of the Biesanz brickyard in West Burns valley by Robert Leonard, 208 West Wabasha street, was announced today. The new owner said production will begin Monday. The brickyard was formerly owned by Frank D. Biesanz, Gilmore valley. Repairing of sheds and equipment was done this week. The yard has not been running at capacity for some time because of labor shortages, but Mr. Leonard said he expects to turn out bricks in a quantity as near to plant capacity as possible. The plant has four kilns, each of which holds 250,000 bricks. Forty-two acres of land were included in the purchase. Clay deposits and a small area being farmed are included in the tract, in addition to the brickyard buildings. Mr. Leonard is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Leonard and he and his wife, the former Alice Jean Spikings, Chicago, are making their home with his parents at present. Before entering service four years ago, Robert Leonard was a buyer for the Swift & Company plant. He attended Winona State Teachers college and the University of Minnesota. A lieutenant in the infantry, he served in the European theater a year and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in May 1945. Among other decorations, he won the Silver and Bronze Stars. He returned to this country January 3. (The Winona Republican-Herald, Saturday, April 20, 1946, Page 3)