farmer, pioneer cheese manufacturer, politician, b. Denmark, Lewis County, N.Y. He moved to Wisconsin in 1844 and worked for several years as a molder. In 1850 he settled on a farm near Lagoda, Fond du Lac County, and by 1860 had begun making cheese. In 1864 he established the first cheese factory in the state at Lagoda, and despite prejudice and skepticism in what was then a predominantly wheat- growing area, his factory prospered. In succeeding years he established factories at Brandon, and in Green and Green Lake counties. In order to promote and advertise dairy products he helped organize the Fond du Lac Dairyman's Association (1869), and in 1872 played an important role in the formation of the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association. He served as president of both organizations in their early years. A Republican, he helped found that party in the state, and was state assemblyman (1885-1886). While in the legislature, he served as chairman of the agriculture committee and was influential in securing laws that established farmers' institutes. In 1895 Hazen moved to Ripon where he served several terms as mayor. W. H. Glover, Farm and College (Madison, 1952); Portrait and Biog. Album of Fond du Lac Co. (Chicago, 1889); Fond du Lac Commonwealth, Apr. 27, 1900; WPA MS.

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]