296 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 



FOUNDER OF ANOKA HERDS AND FLOCKS 



115. The word Anoka in the language of the Wisconsin 

 Indians means "wind-favored spot." It was chosen by George 

 Harding as the name of his Wisconsin farm more than a quarter 

 of a century ago, at a time when his success in the Shorthorn 

 World demanded a dignified title for the produce he was annually 

 vending to an eager and constructive trade. 



Mr. Harding was born in Pittsfield, New York, in 1840, a 

 few months after the arrival of his parents from Winchester, 

 England. His boyhood days were spent in Ohio, in the vicinity 

 of Painesville, where his father and General Casement, finan- 

 cier and pioneer railway promoter of Kansas and Colorado, 

 grew in business together. In 1880, Mr. Harding migrated to 

 Wisconsin, where he engaged in a hardware mercantile business 

 in both Waukesha and Chippewa Falls. After nine years of 

 pursuit of this industry, Mr. Harding purchased 160 acres near 

 Waukesha, which ultimately became known as Home Farm 

 among the Anoka Farm holdings. 



In 1870 he decided to embark in the breeding of Cotswold 

 sheep and Shorthorn cattle. The Cotswolds were secured from 

 the flock of Abner Strawn, Ottawa, 111., and became a chief 

 source of supply of sheep of this breed in later years. In 1885 

 Mr. Harding advanced the money necessary to put the American 

 Cotswold Association on its feet, taking pay in the stock of the 

 Association. His son was elected secretary and a turning point 

 in the society's finances occurred. The registration became self- 

 supporting and funds became available for use as prizes at the 

 leading fairs and expositions. Shropshires were added to Anoka 

 about 1900, and Hampshires have been handled at intervals 

 since. 



The first Shorthorns were secured from C. C. Park, Glen Flora 

 Farm, Waukegan; a bull named Baron Bertram and two heifers, 

 whose total cost was $1,200. From the bluegrass breeders he 



