Walter B. Leishman was born in 1887. On October 1, 1913, he married Marion Denny, a native Beloiter who was the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. Wilson Denny. The Leishman’s had one son, Walter B. Jr.

Mr. Leishman was a member of Beloit College, class of 1908. After leaving Beloit College, he joined the sales force of the National Biscuit Company and traveled throughout the country introducing packaged cookies. Prior to this time, cookies had been sold in barrels.

In 1909 he joined the sales division of Detroit Stove Works, traveling throughout the west and Midwest selling the Detroit Jewel to hardware dealers. In 1913 he returned to Beloit to become sales manager of Gardner Machine Company and later, secretary of the company.

In 1938 he became president and remained in that post until his retirement in 1952. Leishman served as a corporator of the Beloit Savings Bank and as a trustee and a vice president, before becoming chairman of the board in 1955. After his retirement as board chairman, he continued as a trustee and corporator until his death in 1962.

As a student at Beloit College, Leishman was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. As an alumnus, he was elected president of the alumni chapter. He was on the building committee that was instrumental in the construction of the fraternity house on the Beloit College campus in 1932.

Leishman was one of the founders of the Beloit Rotary Club and served this service club in various capacities. He was also a member of the Beloit Elks Club and was a member of the Elks Club choir. He loved music and played the flute.

The Leishman family were active members of the First Congregational Church. Mr. Leishman will be remembered for his generosity to civic causes and individuals and for his warm, friendly manner which contributed to his prominence in this community.

Walter Lieshman died in 1962.