Home Ownership Change Marks Passing of Noted Era in DeKalb

After Jacob Haish's death, the mansion was left to his longtime housekeeper Anna Anderson. Following her death, the mansion was sold to the First Lutheran Church in order to raise funds for other projects noted in Haish's will. For a few years before the demolition of the mansion, the First Lutheran Church hosted many events in the house.

In this DeKalb Daily Chronicle photo, "LeRoy Hayes points out the downstairs sitting room fireplace to his children, Sandra and Tommie. This is just one of the six marble fireplaces throughout the house. The public had an opportunity to see the mansion and changes made since early days, at an open house last week. | Clipping courtesy of Joiner History Room

This article was published in the August 12, 1955, edition of the DeKalb Daily Chronicle:

Home Ownership Change Marks Passing of Noted Era in DeKalb

An old community landmark, the Jacob Haish residence, has become the property of the First Lutheran Church, having been purchased from the Jacob Haish Estate. While the furnishings in the home are gone, there are still many of the appointments left which make of it an interesting and unique spot in DeKalb.

For the present, the church will use it as a parish house for its activities and for the intermediate department of its church school. On the second story, a four-room apartment has been arranged for the assistant minister and his wife, Rev. and Mrs. Waldo E. Ekeberg. The large and spacious rooms will make it possible to teach in the vicinity of 100 children. Several of the smaller organizations of the church are making plans for early fall meetings in the parlor of the residence. 

The Boy Scout committee has begun work in the basement where they will make headquarters for troop 33 when it gets into full swing in September. Several basement rooms will provide ideal situations for patrol work and for other scouting activity during the winter months.

Within the house itself, the elegant crystal chandeliers are still in place, as are several of the fine mirrors. The six fireplaces still grace the rooms of the house and add to its charm and beauty. The original paintings, which were done when the residence was built, still hang on the walls and are in a wonderful state of preservation. The four-season painting in the domed ceiling of the second floor is slightly damaged by dampness, but all of the rest show very well.

The cut glass in the door panels, the stained glass panels in many of the windows, especially in the dining and living rooms on the first floor and in the library room are still in excellent condition. 

Some of the statuary on the grounds has been removed, but in the main that which is near the house is still there. The old fountain, with the simulated barbed wire cable around it is an extremely interesting replica of the Haish era. Then, there is the likeness of Mr. Haish himself to the left of the front walk as one approaches the residence. The phrase "patentee of barb wire" is engraved on the back of the animal which forms the step rail of the walk. While some of these carvings have deteriorated from neglect, they still are indications of excellent workmanship which was so much a part of this landmark built 71 years ago.