From the Backroads of Wisconsin's Past

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A statue among School of Agriculture buildings on campus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison depicts William Hoard giving a speech. Hoard had a long and distinguished career advocating for the dairy industry in Wisconsin. Known as the father of Wisconsin dairying, his influence is still felt across the nation.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

William Dempster Hoard is called the father of dairying in Wisconsin. A semi-profile portrait on a cabinet card was created by W. A. Armstrong of Milwaukee, date unknown.

Wisconsin Historical Society, Image #117806

A barn-shaped exhibit hall stands under a blue Wisconsin sky at the University of Wisconsin-Farm Discovery Center near Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The center includes exhibits on dairy farming in Wisconsin.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A group of agricultural students pose in front of a barn while visiting W.H. Hoard's Dairy Farm.

University of Wisconsin

Dr. Sandson, Thomas Brittingham, William Dempster Hoard, John Nolen and Mr. Eldridge pose with an early-model automobile. William Hoard was elected in 1888 to one term as Governor of Wisconsin and served on the University of Wisconsin-Board of Regents from 1907 to 1910. John Nolen was a well-known urban planner contracted by Madison, Wisconsin, to guide the city’s physical and aesthetic development. Thomas Brittingham worked with Mr. Nolen as a member of the Madison Parks and Pleasure Drive Association Board. Photo taken in 1908.

University of Wisconsin

The inner workings of a dairy cow are depicted in an exhibit at the University of Wisconsin-Farm Discovery Center near Manitowoc, Wisconsin. William Hoard advocated for using scientific methods in dairy farming.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

Dairy cattle lounge on a lush pasture near Lake Superior, near Washburn, Wisconsin. Wisconsin is known as America’s Dairyland due in large part to William Hoard.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A Grand Army of the Republic marker stands on the grave of a Civil War veteran in a country cemetery in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. William Hoard, a Civil War veteran himself, was a prominent member of the group in Wisconsin.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

The Stock Pavilion stands on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Madison. Designed for livestock exhibitions, the building has hosted events ranging from concerts by Rachmaninoff and John Prine to visits by several U.S. presidents. A memorial to William Dempster Hoard stands nearby.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A computerized milking machine records statistical information on each cow milked in a Wisconsin dairy herd. William Hoard advocated use of scientific methods in dairy farming, including the gathering of statistical information on dairy cattle.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A gallon of milk and a 2-quart container of ice cream stand on a counter at a northern-Wisconsin dairy. William Hoard’s advocacy of dairy farming and safe practices for the handling of milk led to Wisconsin becoming a leading producer of dairy products in the United States.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A dairy cow moves to a new pasture. William Hoard advocated breeding cows especially for dairy production. He also advocated strict regulation of dairy and other agricultural products in cooperation with state- and federal-government agencies.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

Blocks of cheese are weighed on a scale at Springside Cheese near Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. Due in part to William Hoard’s advocacy for the dairy industry, Wisconsin has become a leading source of cheese and other dairy products for consumers across the nation and around the world.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A dairy herd gathers outside a barn along U.S. Highway 2 near Hurley, Wisconsin. Sights we take for granted – dairy cattle and cylindrical silos – are common sights in Wisconsin partly due to William Hoard, whom many consider to be the father of the dairy industry in Wisconsin.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A statue of William Dempster Hoard created by artist Gutzon Borglum stands in front of Agriculture Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Hoard served as the 16th governor of Wisconsin.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

Jason Maloney For Agri-View

For some folks, elected office is the pinnacle of their careers. They cling to offices, sometimes longer than they should have, losing sight of their duty to serve the public – not themselves. But others do their best to serve the people while in elected office for a short time. Then they rejoin the rest of us.

Jason Maloney mug — Jason Maloney and Red

Jason Maloney from Washburn in northern Wisconsin lives between Lake Superior and the orchards and farms of Bayfield County. The retired soldier and educator grew up on a family farm in Marinette County.