Prominent sheep breeder and University of Wisconsin educator.
1852-1946 | Artist: Othmar J. Hoffler (1893-1954)
Impact & Accomplishments
George McKerrow was born in Lisbon, Wisconsin, and in his early years, he taught school and bred Percheron horses.
He shifted his interests to sheep and raised Merino, Cotswold, Leicestershire, Oxford, and Southdown sheep, selling them across the continent. He received more honors in the ring than any other sheep breeder of his time, taking home three-fourths of all prizes offered to sheep at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
In 1894, McKerrow was appointed superintendent of the Farmers’ Institutes, lecturing and publishing the annual bulletin for the University of Wisconsin. He also added cooking schools for women to the Institute’s programs.
George McKerrow was president of the Wisconsin State Fair, the state board of agriculture, the American Oxford Down Association, the Wisconsin livestock and sheep breeders associations, and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.
Did You Know?
As Wisconsin's livestock agent at the World's Fair in St. Louis, McKerrow organized the $10,000 Wisconsin livestock exhibit.
In 1894, McKerrow was appointed superintendent of the Farmers’ Institutes, lecturing and publishing the annual bulletin for the University of Wisconsin.