While his exact place of birth is unknown, Conrad's family came from the area of the [[Zulawy|Żuławy Gdańskie]], from the village of [[Leszkowy|Letzkau]] (then ''Leszkowy'',<ref name=Dla>[http://www.trojmiasto.pl/wiadomosci/news.php?id_news=17395 Natalia i Waldemar Borzestowscy, "Dlaczego zginął burmistrz"]</ref> hence his surname). In 1387, Letzkau came to Danzig and soon received the city's citizenship and corresponding privileges. He engaged himself in the city's commerce, amassed substantial wealth, and, in 1393, was made a councilman of the city, although official documents list him as such only later. Because of his diplomatic skills and his judicial independence, he was elected the mayor of Danzig in 1405.<ref name=Dla/>
