Kishwaukee Hospital recognizes Haish (1987)

Kishwaukee Hospital advertisement in the Daily Chronicle's "Milestone 150" | Photo by Jessi LaRue

In 1978, the Daily Chronicle published a special edition in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of DeKalb County. The publication features reminiscing columns, sports and culture highlights, and much more from the county's history. It is also filled with various advertisements from county establishments. The advertisement for Kishwaukee Community Hospital pays homage to Jacob Haish.

It reads:

"Building on a rich heritage...

One of this hospital's major benefactors was born even before DeKalb County was founded. He was the late Jacob Haish, leading industrialist, outstanding philanthropist, and great humanitarian. Though his concerns and benefactions were many, the barbed wire king had a special interest in health care. He left the bulk of his estate for a hospital and health care. Half a million dollars went to construct the Jacob Haish Memorial Wing, predecessor of DeKalb Public Hospital and of KCH. Later, directors of the Jacob Haish Memorial Corporation awarded $200,000 to KCH, a gift memorialized in 1981 with a dedication of the Jacob Haish Surgical Department here.

Jacob Haish was one of the earliest DeKalb County residents to support local health care. Today, we salute the memory of him and all the other generous givers through the years. We honor, too, the many citizens of today who share that concern for better health care, supporting KCH through memorial gifts, the Tree of Life, KCH 100, and other giving opportunities. We appreciate all you have done to make this hospital and its services possible. And we pledge to use your gifts as a steppingstone to build on all that has gone before. We promise, in short, to build on a rich heritage ... to provide better health care for this and all future generations.

Kishwaukee Community Hospital

Route 23 and Bethany Road.

DeKalb, Illinois 60115"

Cover of the Daily Chronicle's "Milestone 150" published in 1978 | Photo by Jessi LaRue