Claude Wickard | |
|---|---|
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| 12thUnited States Secretary of Agriculture | |
| In office September 5, 1940 – June 29, 1945 | |
| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Henry A. Wallace |
| Succeeded by | Clinton Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Claude Raymond Wickard (1893-02-28)February 28, 1893 Carroll County,Indiana,U.S. |
| Died | April 29, 1967(1967-04-29) (aged 74) Delphi,Indiana,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Louise Eckert |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Purdue University, West Lafayette (BS) |
| Signature |  |
Claude Raymond Wickard (February 28, 1893 – April 29, 1967) was an AmericanDemocratic politician who served as thesecretary of agriculture during the administrations of PresidentsFranklin D. Roosevelt andHarry S. Truman from 1940 to 1945.[1]
A Victory Garden is like a share in an airplane factory. It helps win the War and pays dividends too.
— Claude R. Wickard
Wickard was born on his family farm inCarroll County, Indiana, nearCamden, on February 28, 1893. He was born to Iva Lenora (née Kirkpatrick) and Andrew Jackson Wickard. He graduated fromPurdue University in 1915 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, and he was chosen as "Master Farmer of Indiana" in 1927 for his improvements in stock feeding and farming.
He was elected from theIndiana Senate in 1932, and was appointed as Undersecretary of Agriculture. WhenHenry A. Wallace resigned as thesecretary of agriculture in September 1940 to run for Vice-President in the1940 presidential election, Wickard was appointed to the post.
He was on the winning side inWickard v. Filburn, in which theU.S. Supreme Court decided in a case that the federal government could control wheat that was grown in one state for the personal use of a farmer.[2]
DuringWorld War II, Wickard headed theWar Food Administration, promoting increased farmer production as a matter of patriotism. His slogan was "Food Will Win the War and Write the Peace." On January 18, 1943, Wickard banned the sale of presliced bread, possibly to save tools and wax paper, as required at the time. The ban lasted for less than two months, being rescinded in March 1943. He resigned on June 29, 1945, to become Chief of theRural Electrification Administration, where he served until 1953. He ran unsuccessfully as aDemocratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1956, losing to incumbentHomer E. Capehart.
Wickard was killed in an automobile accident and died on April 29, 1967. Reportedly, he ran a stop sign at the intersection ofIndiana State Road 18 and theU.S. Highway 421 nearDelphi, Indiana, and his vehicle was hit by a crushed-stone truck. He is interred in Maple Lawn Cemetery inFlora, Indiana.[3]
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee for U.S. SenatorfromIndiana (Class 3) 1956 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Served under:Franklin D. Roosevelt,Harry S. Truman September 5, 1940 - June 29, 1945 | Succeeded by |
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