Barbed wire field trips, booklets in the works

The cover of the Joseph F. Glidden pamphlet currently used in DeKalb elementary schools. | Image provided by DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association

DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA) is working to educate DeKalb students on the city's barbed wire barons.

Currently, DeKalb School District #428 has a booklet that teaches the district's second grade students about Joseph F. Glidden. 

"The teachers really like the format and commented that it would be nice to have one on other key DeKalb figures," said Donna Langford, DAAHA manager of operations. 

Dr. Anne Almberg of Founder's Elementary wrote one on Annie Glidden, Ellwood House wrote on Isaac Ellwood, and DAAHA volunteered to do one on Jacob Haish.

The booklets are used to meet the curriculum's English Language Arts standards, combining local history with reading and writing exercises. A grant for the schools will cover the cost of printing these materials.

A field trip is also in the works to help further students' understanding of the barbed wire barons, and funding is needed to bus students to these locations: the Ellwood House Museum, the Glidden Homestead and Historical Center, and the parking lot which was once the location of the Haish mansion.

DAAHA estimates the total cost is $4,435.31 for eight days (8 elementary schools and 22 classes) to visit these locations. A grant application has been made to help with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade busing for field trips.The busing costs for the 3rd and 4th graders is in addition to the $4,435.31.

Want to help DeKalb elementary students learn more about the founders of their very own Barb City?

Monetary donations are needed to make these field trips happen each year, so hopefully the second grade classes can take this field trip each fall. 

Any size donation is appreciated for the second grade field trips and will help the grant funds go further for the 3rd and 4th graders. DAAHA is a 501(c)3 and can provide thank you letters to each donor to document the donation to a charitable organization. 

Donations can be sent by mail to:

DAAHA

111 South Second St.

Suite 204

DeKalb, IL 60115

Please specify that your donation is to help fund the second grade field trips.

For more information, email daaha.inc@gmail.com or call 815-756-8737.

Jacob Haish historical marker dedicated

The Jacob Haish historical marker now stands outside of the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The Jacob Haish historical marker was sponsored by DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, the Illinois State Historical Society, and local contributors. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The Jacob Haish historical marker was dedicated and unveiled Saturday, June 17, at the DeKalb Public Library. The marker was sponsored in part by the Illinois State Historical Society and DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA.)

The marker was posted outside of the DeKalb Public Library, or Haish Memorial Library, as it was originally known, due to Haish's decision to leave $150,000 in his will for a community library.

Many members of the community, as well as members of the Haish family, gathered Saturday to listen to speeches and see the official unveiling of DAAHA's seventh historical marker in the area. 

DAAHA Board President Norm Larson speaks during the Jacob Haish historical marker dedication on June 17, 2017. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Haish family representative Jeff Marshall told Haish's story during the marker dedication ceremony. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Larry Mix, member of the DAAHA historical marker subcommittee, read the marker's text to the audience. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

DAAHA Board President Norm Larson remarked how incredible it is to think that the Haish marker will be there for generations 100 years from now to enjoy.

Emily Faulkner, DeKalb Public Library director, spoke during the ceremony and told her own story as a young girl living on Haish Boulevard in DeKalb, growing up believing Haish was a president of the United States, much like most other street namesakes in the town.

Jeff Marshall, of DeKalb, represented the Haish family and gave a historical perspective on his third great uncle, a German immigrant who spent his life creating agricultural innovations, such as barbed wire and farming implements.

DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith and Rep. Robert Pritchard, Illinois House of Representatives, also spoke during the ceremony, recognizing Haish's philanthropy and generous gifts to the community, including money for a library, hospital, and the first college in the area, today known as Northern Illinois University.

Local historian Steve Bigolin said it was a great day for Haish to "finally get more recognition."

Following the remarks, Haish family descendants Jeff Marshall and Jessi LaRue unveiled the marker to the community. 

Haish family descendants Jeff Marshall and Jessi LaRue unveil the Jacob Haish historical marker on June 17, 2017. | Photo by Christopher LaRue

Jeff Marshall and Jessi LaRue, Haish family descendants, unveil the historical marker. Jacob Haish is Marshall's 3rd great uncle, and LaRue's 4th great uncle. | Photo by Christopher LaRue

A photo of all Haish descendants that were in attendance that day was also taken.

Haish family descendants Jeff Marshall and Jessi LaRue pose by DAAHA's latest historical marker. | Photo by Christopher LaRue

Some Haish family descendants pose by the Jacob Haish historical marker. | Photo by Christopher LaRue

DAAHA also acknowledged the generous contributions of the following individuals and organizations whose gifts made the marker possible:

Pat Barger

Gordon's Hardware

Kevin and Becky Haish

Steve Heinsohn

Historical Museum of Barbed Wire

Ronald Klein

Christopher and Jessi LaRue

Henry Leonard

Jeff Marshall

James Morel

John Nelson

Penny A. Rosenow Trust

James Stoddard

Delbert and Ruth Trew

Eldona Willrett

The Jacob Haish historical marker is now posted outside of the Haish Memorial Library/DeKalb Public Library on Oak Street in DeKalb. Click photo to enlarge. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Jacob Haish to be recognized with historical marker

Mark your calendar: the dedication ceremony for the Jacob Haish historical marker has been set.

The dedication ceremony for the Illinois State historical marker honoring Jacob Haish will be held at 10:30 a.m. on June 17, 2017, at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

The Haish marker is the latest historical marker designation through the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, and donations to fund the project have rolled in from barbed wire groups, locals, family descendants and more.

A photo-shopped image shows where the Jacob Haish historical marker will be placed at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street. | Image provided by Bob Myers

The historical marker will detail Haish's contributions to the agricultural community through his innovations such as barbed wire and farming implements. The text on the marker also honors his "eccentric personality and generous philanthropy."

The marker will be posted outside of the DeKalb Public Library, or Haish Memorial Library, as it was originally known, due to Haish's decision to leave $150,000 in his will for a community library.

IF YOU GO 
What: Dedication for the Illinois State Historical Marker honoring Jacob Haish
When: 10:30 a.m. on June 17, 2017
Where: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb, Illinois

Speakers include: 
Norm Larson, DAAHA board president
William Furry, Illinois State Historical Society executive director
Rep. Robert Pritchard, Illinois House of Representatives, 70th district
Jerry Smith, Mayor of DeKalb
Emily Faulkner, DeKalb Public Library director
Dr. Jeffrey Chown, Northern Illinois University, Dept. of Communications
Jeff Marshall, Haish family representative

The marker will be unveiled following remarks from the speakers.

For more information contact DAAHA at 815-756-8737, or visit daaha.org.

Haish Historical Marker Needs Funding

A local group is working toward creating a permanent and "visible legacy" in honor of barbed wire baron Jacob Haish.

DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, or DAAHA, is raising funds to place a historical marker outside of the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street. The marker will detail Haish's life and honor his many contributions to DeKalb. 

The DeKalb Public Library board recently approved the location of the marker, which will be placed just outside the original entrance to the library, or as some know it, the entrance to the Haish Memorial Library. Haish's will left $150,000 to the city for the construction of the library, which was completed in 1930.

A photo-shopped image shows where the Jacob Haish historical marker will be placed at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street. | Image provided by Bob Myers

With library approval and a proposed text already written with help from Haish family descendant Jeff Marshall, just one more crucial element is needed: the funds to pay for the marker.

The total cost of the marker is estimated at $4,200, said Larry Mix, member of the DAAHA historical marker subcommittee. Just $500 has been raised as of January, and in order to install the marker by their goal of June of this year, the majority of funds will need to be raised by April, Mix said.

Mix hopes both relatives and fans of Haish's story will donate and help preserve the history of a man who did so much for not only the city of DeKalb, but much of the world, because of his barbed wire and farming implement creations.

"Having this marker [outside of the library] is a great opportunity," Mix said. "So many people walk in and out, and may not know who Jacob Haish was. I really think people would be interested to know why he was so important."

TO DONATE:
Tax deductible donations may be made to DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA), and mailed to 111 South 2^nd St., DeKalb IL 60115. Donations should be marked “Haish Marker.” 

For more information on DAAHA visit DAAHA.org.

- - -

Below is the proposed text for the marker, which is pending approval by the Illinois State Historical Society.

Jacob Haish

(1826 – 1926)

Known for his inventive genius, eccentric personality and generous philanthropy, Jacob Haish is perhaps most remembered as an inventor of barbed wire.  Born in Germany, he immigrated to this country in 1832 and came to DeKalb County in the 1840’s.

As a lumber merchant and builder, Haish learned about the West’s need for cheap, durable fencing to safeguard against livestock that roamed freely, destroying crops.  At the DeKalb County Fair in 1873 he noticed a patented wooden fence design with sharp metal barbs. From this, Haish got the idea to make wire barbs and place them on wire that could be stretched between fence posts.   A patent was later issued August 31, 1875 on Haish’s design, called “S” barbed wire.

Haish started manufacturing S barbed wire in 1874 and in 1881 he erected a two-story factory where one hundred men produced thirty tons of barbed wire a day, later using automatic machinery to manufacture the wire.  Other ventures included manufacturing of woven fencing, manure spreaders, cream separators and other farm implements.

Between 1892 and 1895 Haish partnered with his barbed wire rivals Isaac Ellwood and Joseph Glidden to bring the Northern Illinois State Normal School to DeKalb, donating $14,000 for the school’s library. 

Haish’s will directed much of his estate to the betterment of the community he loved, including $150,000 for the construction of the DeKalb Public (Haish Memorial) Library.  The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Sponsored by DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (www.DAAHA.org) and Illinois State Historical Society. June 2017

                                                             

Jacob Haish historical marker in the works

Jacob Haish photo courtesy of Joiner History Room

DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, or DAAHA, is in the beginning stages of bringing a Jacob Haish historical marker to town. 

The non-profit organization has been behind many other historical markers around DeKalb, including the location of the first DeKalb brand hybrid corn breeding plot.

Donna Langford, DAAHA operations manager, said the organization hopes to have a historical marker honoring Haish at the DeKalb Public Library on Oak Street as soon as this year. In his will, Haish bequested $150,000 money to build a public library, the Haish Memorial Library.

Langford said the location is pending library board approval. The project is also on hold until funds are raised to pay for the marker, which could cost as much as $4,000, she said.

Donations to the project can be made at DAAHA's website or by calling DAAHA at 815-756-8737. Langford asks that donors specify that the money is going toward the Haish historical marker project.