5 Shocking Facts About The Daily Jefferson County Union: From Governor's Project To Digital Powerhouse

The Daily Jefferson County Union, a cornerstone of local journalism in southeastern Wisconsin, remains a vital source of news and community happenings for the region. As of today, December 17, 2025, the newspaper continues its long-standing tradition of covering the essential stories of Jefferson County, operating from its base in Fort Atkinson. Its journey, however, is far more complex and historically significant than a typical local paper, involving a former state governor, a landmark agricultural publication, and a major corporate acquisition that redefined its modern existence.

The publication, often referred to simply as the "Daily Union," has successfully navigated the tumultuous waters of the 21st-century media landscape. Its transition from a family-owned entity with deep roots in the dairy industry to a part of the expansive Adams Publishing Group (APG Media) marks one of the most significant shifts in its 150-year history. Understanding the paper’s current operations requires a deep dive into the extraordinary legacy of its founder and the strategic corporate moves that secured its place in the digital age.

The Unforgettable Legacy of William Dempster Hoard: Founder, Governor, Dairyman

The story of the *Daily Jefferson County Union* is inseparable from the remarkable biography of its founder, William Dempster Hoard (October 10, 1836 – November 22, 1918). Hoard was not merely a publisher; he was a Civil War veteran, a pioneer of scientific agriculture, and one of the most influential political figures in Wisconsin history.

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A Complete Biography of William Dempster Hoard

• Full Name: William Dempster Hoard
• Born: October 10, 1836, in Stockbridge, New York
• Died: November 22, 1918, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
• Military Service: Served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
• Founding of Newspaper: Launched the weekly *Jefferson County Union* in 1870 in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.
• Relocation: Moved the newspaper operation to Fort Atkinson in 1873, where it remains today.
• Political Career: Served as the 16th Governor of Wisconsin from 1889 to 1891.
• Agricultural Pioneer: A staunch advocate for diversified and scientific dairying, earning him the nickname "The Cow Governor."
• Major Publication: Founded *Hoard's Dairyman* in 1885, a globally influential magazine dedicated to the dairy industry, which originated as a section within the *Jefferson County Union*.
• Legacy: His work fundamentally changed Wisconsin agriculture, helping establish the state as "America's Dairyland."

Hoard launched the *Jefferson County Union* in 1870 as a four-page weekly, initially operating out of Lake Mills before moving to Fort Atkinson three years later. His vision was to create a paper that served the needs of the local farming community, which was struggling with traditional, less efficient agricultural practices. This focus on agriculture and community led to the paper’s most enduring contribution to American publishing.

The newspaper’s dedicated dairy section became so popular and influential that in 1885, Hoard spun it off into its own publication, Hoard's Dairyman. This magazine grew into one of the most respected and authoritative journals in the global dairy industry, proving that the *Daily Union* was the incubator for a powerful media empire, W.D. Hoard & Sons Company, which would own the paper for nearly 150 years.

A Modern Era: The APG Media Acquisition and Digital Shift

For decades, the *Daily Jefferson County Union* remained under the stewardship of the Hoard family and W.D. Hoard & Sons Company. However, the changing economics of local news led to a pivotal moment in the paper's long history: a major corporate acquisition. This event, a common but significant trend in the media industry, secured the paper's operational future while transitioning its ownership.

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In December 2018, the *Daily Jefferson County Union* and nine companion weekly newspapers were acquired by the Adams Publishing Group (APG Media). The sale was a significant buyout/LBO (Leveraged Buyout) deal, ending the paper’s century-and-a-half-long relationship with the Hoard family.

The decision by W.D. Hoard & Sons to sell the newspaper division was described as one "not made lightly." Crucially, the acquisition was structured to ensure continuity, with the buyer stating that all current management and staff would remain in place, preserving the local voice while leveraging the resources of a larger media group.

The APG Media Effect and Digital Transition

Under the umbrella of APG Media of Southern Wisconsin (part of Adams MultiMedia), the *Daily Jefferson County Union* has solidified its presence in the digital age. The paper is now published as a weekday afternoon newspaper, Monday through Friday, serving the entire Jefferson County area.

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Key modern features include:

• E-Edition: A full replica of the printed product, available online, allowing subscribers to read the newspaper as they know and love it from the convenience of the web.
• Mobile App: The publication offers a dedicated mobile application that includes both LIVE NEWS updates and the traditional replica e-Edition, ensuring that breaking news reaches the community immediately.
• Regional Partnership: The *Daily Jefferson County Union* is often mentioned alongside the *Watertown Daily Times*, reflecting a coordinated regional media strategy under APG Media to provide comprehensive coverage across neighboring communities.

This strategic shift has allowed the paper to maintain its essential role as a source for local news, including critical coverage of local government proceedings, school district updates, and community events, while adopting the necessary technological infrastructure to survive and thrive in the 2020s.

Why the Daily Union Remains Jefferson County's Essential Voice

Despite the changes in ownership and technology, the core mission of the *Daily Jefferson County Union*—to serve as the definitive voice of the community—has not wavered. The paper’s topical authority is deeply rooted in its commitment to hyper-local reporting, a necessity for a community paper in the age of national news dominance.

The newspaper's coverage is meticulously focused on the entities that matter most to its readership, ensuring that the local democratic process remains transparent and accessible. Key coverage areas include:

• Local Government & Proceedings: Extensive reporting on the Jefferson County Board Proceedings, Fort Atkinson city council meetings, and other municipal decisions that directly impact residents.
• Community Happenings: A consistent focus on local sports, school news, and the social fabric of towns like Fort Atkinson, Lake Mills, and Jefferson.
• Agricultural Heritage: While *Hoard's Dairyman* is separate, the paper still covers local agricultural news, honoring the legacy of Hoard, the scientific dairyman who founded both publications.

The paper’s continued operation under APG Media, a group with a stated focus on supporting local news, ensures that the residents of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, have a dedicated team reporting on the issues that affect their daily lives. In a media environment where local papers are increasingly vulnerable, the *Daily Jefferson County Union*'s deep historical roots, coupled with its modern digital strategy, positions it as a resilient and essential community resource.

The *Daily Union* is not just a newspaper; it is a living piece of Wisconsin history, a legacy project of a former governor, and a contemporary example of how local journalism can adapt. Its shift to a digital-forward, weekday afternoon publication under APG Media confirms its commitment to informing the next generation of Jefferson County residents, bridging the gap between its 1870 founding and its status as a robust news operation in 2025.