There is all of consistency in incorporating in this publication a memoir to the late Captain Jacob Leisen, who was one of the honored and influential citizens and pioneer business men of the city of Menominee, a veteran of the Civil war, a loyal and progressive citizen and one who did much to further the civic and commercial development and upbuilding of Menominee, where he continued to reside until his death, which here occurred on the 22d of September, 1900.

Captain Jacob Leisen was born near the city of Coblenz, Germany, on the banks of the picturesque river Rhine, and the date of his nativity was May 7, 1828. His grandfather, Jacob Leisen, was an officer in the forestry service in Prussia, and there was born Jacob Leisen (II), father of the subject of this memoir. The latter was reared to maturity in Prussia and he married Margaret Gobel, daughter of Joseph Gobel, who was in the revenue service of the government. The parents of Captain Leisen passed their entire lives in the Fatherland, and their two children, both sons, are now deceased. Captain Leisen was reared to manhood in his native land and was afforded the advantages of its excellent schools. At the age of fifteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship at the cabinetmaker's trade, to which he devoted his attention for some time. In 1849 he entered the Prussian army, in which he served the prescribed three years, as a member of the Eighth Battalion of Sharpshooters, with which he was stationed at Baden for one year and the remainder of the time at Wetzlar, where the barracks were in the ancient and historic high-court room. He received his honorable discharge from the army in 1852 and thereafter continued in the work of his trade until the following year, when he embarked on a sailing vessel and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He landed in New York City on the 25th of November of that year, and he was employed at his trade in the states of New York and New Jersey until the autumn of 1854, when he made his way to the city of Chicago, where he remained until the fall of the following year. There also he availed himself of the advantages of a night school, and thus added to his knowledge of English, besides pursuing other studies. In the autumn of 1855 he removed to Centerville, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the work of his trade. In 1859 he there established himself in the general merchandise business, in which he continued to be engaged until May, 1873, save for the period of his service in the Civil war.

In October, 1864, Captain Leisen showed his loyalty to the land of his adoption by tendering his services in defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company B, Forty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at Madison, the capital of the state, and he was appointed captain of his company by Governor Lewis, who was then the chief executive of the state. He proceeded with his command to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was assigned to provost and picket duty, besides which he had charge of prisoners who were sent to the north. He remained at Nashville until July, 1865, and during the entire period of his service he was never absent from duty for a single day. He received his honorable discharge and forthwith returned to his home in Centerville, Wisconsin. He was one of the most influential citizens of that place, where he served eleven years as postmaster. During his absence as a soldier his wife had charge of the office. He also served about fourteen years as township clerk and for an equal period was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace.

In May, 1873, Captain Leisen removed with his family to Menominee, where for a time he was engaged in the manufacturing of soda water. In 1876 he formed a co-partnership with John Henes and purchased a brewery business that had been established a number of years previously. They continued the enterprise under the firm name of Leisen & Henes until 1890, when it was incorporated under the present title of the Leisen & Henes Brewing Company. The enterprise, under the able executive management of Captain Leisen, became one of broad scope and he continued president of the company until his death, when he was succeeded by his son Louis J. Captain Leisen had marked constructive and administrative ability and he did much to further the commercial advancement of Menominee, where he identified himself with the promotion and upbuilding of various enterprises in addition to the one already mentioned. He was a member of the directorate of the Lumbermen's National Bank at the time of his death and was also a director of the Menominee Electric Light & Power Company and the local street railway Company, besides being virtually the owner of the Menominee Stained Glass Works. He was associated with his son-in-law, John Henes, in the erection of the Leisen & Henes block, one of the finest business blocks in the city.

In politics Captain Leisen was aligned as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party until 1872, and thereafter her gave an unqualified allegiance to the Democratic party. He was a man of mature judgment and broad mental ken and ever showed an intelligent interest in the questions and issues of the hour. He served as a member of the board of aldermen of Menominee and was twice the candidate of his party for the office of mayor of the city. He was a communicant of the German Catholic church, the parish of the Epiphany, in Menominee and was liberal in its support, as was he also generous in aiding all measures tending to promote the best interests of the community. He was genial and kindly in his association with his fellow men, and his sterling integrity brought to him the most assured popular confidence and esteem. He was affiliated with Lyman Post, No. 266, Grand Army of the Republic, and also with the Michigan Commandery of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He was one of the organizers of the Menominee Turn Verein, of which he was president during the first eight years of its existence. Captain Leisen was one of the leaders in the ranks of the Democratic party in the Upper Peninsula and served two terms as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee.

At Centerville, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, in the year 1858, was solemnized the marriage of Captain Leisen to Miss Maria Verena Fehrenbach, who was born in Switzerland, on the 21st of February, 1841, being a daughter of Antoine Fehrenbach. She died in the city of Menominee on the 5th of August, 1907, secure in the affectionate regard of all who knew her. Concerning the six children of Captain and Mrs. Leisen the following brief data are entered in conclusion of this memoir: Rosa is the wife of John Henes, of Menominee; James A. is deceased; Louis J. is individually mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Lena is the wife of Richard Kirkham, of Menominee; Ida is the wife of Dr. Hurbert Higgs; and Joseph is vice-president of the brewery at Menominee.