Jacob Haish: Immigrant and Philanthropist

The story of Jacob Haish, widely known for his role in the early innovation of barbed wire, reaches far beyond this achievement.

An immigrant from Germany who arrived in the United States as a young boy, Haish built a successful career through barbed wire and other manufacturing ventures, including gasoline engines. His success allowed him to become one of DeKalb’s most generous early philanthropists. In his will, Haish specified that he desired his funds to provide a library and a hospital for his beloved DeKalb. His legacy includes establishing the Haish Memorial Library, supporting the DeKalb Hospital and what is now Kishwaukee Hospital, and offering substantial donations to local churches, schools, and civic causes. He also funded the library at the Northern Illinois State Normal School, known today as Northern Illinois University (NIU).

Glidden Homestead representatives—and Haish’s descendants—Jessi Haish LaRue and Jeff Marshall will share these lesser-known stories about Haish’s…