Jacob Richards Dodge Clippings

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistician Jacob Richards Dodge (1823-1902) was chief of the USDA's Statistical Division for 27 years. Dodge was born in New Boston, New Hampshire, learned the art of printing, and engaged in teaching, first in New Hampshire and afterwards in Mississippi, where he successfully conducted an academy. In 1849 he redirected his career path to the field of journalism, studying rural economy and statistical information. When the new Department of Agriculture was established in 1862, he became engaged in editorial work and statistical investigation. At the same time, he chronicled the events of the Civil War for the Associated Press. In 1866 he assumed charge of the Statisitical Division, which he retained through the changing administrations until 1874. He accepted a temporary commission for investigation of commercial agriculture in the Treasury Department, and the charge of the statistics of agriculture of the 10th Census in 1879. Commissioner George Bailey Loring compelled him to take his former position as statistician in 1881, the duties of which performed until his retirement in 1893.