Haish-Built Engines Featured in Show

I recently attended the 52nd Sandwich Show in Sandwich, IL. This show featured Haish built engines, some of which I captured in photo and video and posted below. Haish's involvement in engine manufacturing is pretty varied: his earliest engines were part of "Cock O' The Walk Line," then the "Chanticleer" line. 

According to JacobHaishMfg.org: "Haish would manufacture engines not only for sale by his own dealer network, but also developed engines for the Appleton Mfg. Co., of Batavia, Illinois, Sandwich Mfg. Co. of Sandwich, Illinois & Rock Island Plow Co. out of Rock Island, Illinois. Haish's engine he built for these other companies were almost entirely the same as his own, with modifications to the said horsepower rating, engine tags or paint schemes, etc. Additionally, Haish manufactured an engine line for the Smith Mfg. Co. out of Chicago under the trade name "Great Western" from about 1905 until 1911. Rock Island Plow Co. purchased the "Great Western" line, which included the engine division, on October 1, 1911 from the Smith Mfg. Co. Haish would then build the "Great Western" line exclusively for Rock Island Plow Co. until about 1916. However, Rock Island Plow discontinued the "Great Western" engine division in about 1912 in favor of Haish's "Chanticleer" line. Rock Island would continue to market the "Great Western" trade name with its famous manure spreader and cream separator divisions for many more years. Sandwich Mfg. Co. stopped marketing "Chanticleer" engines in about 1912 as they had began to develop their own engine with a distinctive "tulip" style water hopper. Jacob Haish sold his entire "Chanticleer” engine division in April 1917 to the Appleton Mfg. Co. of Batavia, Illinois."

Learn more about the engines by clicking here.

Perhaps my favorite was a 4 HP Rock Island engine (built by Jacob Haish Mfg. Co) operating an early 1900s Sandwich Corn Sheller.

And here come the photos...

Thanks to the engine collectors who keep this great history preserved and running for the rest of us to enjoy!!

More Haish postcards

The Haish School | Courtesy of Eva Johnson, "TheFamilyLibrarian"

Jacob Haish Company | Courtesy of Eva Johnson, "TheFamilyLibrarian"

The Haish Memorial Library | Courtesy of Eva Johnson, "TheFamilyLibrarian"

Haish's New Electric Power and Gas Engine Plant | Courtesy of Eva Johnson, "TheFamilyLibrarian"

Thanks to Eva Johnson, curator of an incredible DeKalb County postcards Flickr site, for sharing these postcards with us. Click the images to enlarge, and see her collection by clicking HERE

Jacob Haish Company invoices

These invoices from the Jacob Haish Company were shared with us by Shawn Rogers. These are from a machinery dealer and repair shop in Newark, Illinois. The shop was started in 1911 and the owner bought from most companies in northern Illinois, Rogers said. So much can be learned from some simple receipts and invoices! 

Click images to enlarge. Big thanks to Shawn Rogers for sharing these with us.

Haish Wire & Implement Co. letterhead

Haish Co. letterhead detail | Courtesy of DeKalb County History Center Archives

This letterhead for Haish Wire and Implement Co. advertises the company's woven and barbed wire, gates, staples, nails and stretchers. Haish's iconic rooster image is used as well.

Letter on Haish Co. letterhead | Courtesy of DeKalb County History Center Archives

The letter on this letterhead is addressed to Mr. E.E. Roberts of Oak Park, Ill., and reads:

"Dear Sir:-

This is to give notice to you, also the contractors, Foster Woodruff & Glidden that unless the school house now being erected in DeKalb, Ill., under your supervision, are completed by Aug. 1st, 1908 for every day's delay thereafter we shall demand damages.

Yours truly,

[unsigned]"

The letter is dated July 15, 1908.

Jacob Haish Co. postcards

These two postcards advertise products from Jacob Haish Company: the poultry fence and the twin tie woven wire. "Jacob Haish Co." and "DeKalb, Ill." are printed on the image side of both postcards.

Front side of Twin Tie Woven Wire postcard. | Image provided by Jessi LaRue

Back side of Twin Tie Woven Wire postcard. | Image provided by Jessi LaRue

Twin Tie Woven Wire postcard:

This postcard, above, shows the twin tie woven wire fence, and a cowboy who has been thrown from his horse and right over the fence. In the background you can see a woman running over to help.

The backside of the postcard reads: 

"C. Fischer & Son, Lancaster, Wis. 
Haish Wire Fence, Haish Barbed Wire, Nails, etc."

Front side of Poultry Fence postcard. | Image provided by Jessi LaRue

Back side of Poultry Fence postcard. | Image provided by Jessi LaRue

Poultry Fence postcard:

This postcard, above, shows a well-dressed young boy and his dog. The boy appears to be saying "cock-a-doodle!" with the rooster, who is on the other side of the fence.

The backside of the postcard reads:

"COCK-A-DOODLE

Adjustable square mesh chicken fence does not bag, buckle or sag. No top or bottom rails or line posts needed. Only corner posts necessary. Costs no more than old style netting and makes a heavier, more durable fence. Sold by A. Driesens & Son, 338 W. Leonard St., Grand Rapids, Michigan."