Joseph E. Tregoning

Joseph Tregoning was born on May 26, 1941, in Dubuque, Iowa.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-joseph-tregoning/136329194/ |title= Tregoning, Joseph E. "Joe" |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= October 13, 2019 |page= C3 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} He was raised and educated in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where his father owned a farm. He graduated from Shullsburg High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS13774 |title= Tregoning, Joseph E. 1941 |website= Wisconsin Historical Society |accessdate= November 5, 2023 }}

Joe became active locally in the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and from 1964 to 1967 he served as chairman of the Lafayette County Republican Party.

In 1966, Tregoning made his first bid for Wisconsin State Assembly, launching a primary challenge against incumbent state representative G. Fred Galli in the Green–Lafayette district. Galli was just completing his first term in the Assembly, and was facing a challenge from both Tregoning, who was then-chair of the Lafayette County Republican Party, and from Madeline Stauffacher, who was then-chair of the Green County Republican Party. In the three-way primary, Galli prevailed, receiving 52% to Tregoning's 26% of the vote.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/W5GGNB5NK26Z38S |title= State of Wisconsin 1968 Blue Book |year= 1968 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |page= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AW5GGNB5NK26Z38S/full/ASWOATG44T6QM38V 713] }}

However, just after the start of 1967 legislative term, Galli died of a sudden heart attack.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-galli-dead/136330240/ |title= Election Will Fill Assembly Vacancy |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= January 14, 1967 |page= 23 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} Tregoning decided to run again in the special election to succeed him and serve out the remainder of his term in the 78th Wisconsin Legislature. Tregoning again faced two opponents in the Republican primary, and prevailed narrowly over Monroe businessman Robert E. Tschudy.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-green-lafayette/136331376/ |title= GOP Primary Contest Won by Tregoning |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= March 8, 1967 |page= 10 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} He easily prevailed in the April special election, defeating Democratic dairy farmer Thomas W. McCarthy.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-tregoning-electe/136332000/ |title= Tregoning Wins Race for Assembly |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 5, 1967 |page= 1 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} He easily won election to a full term in 1968, and was re-election in 1970 in the then-heavily Republican district.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/63MVAJVDHMHFW9E |title= The State of Wisconsin 1970 Blue Book |year= 1970 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A63MVAJVDHMHFW9E/full/A6YRSE7PQXJYLI87 804], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A63MVAJVDHMHFW9E/full/A7E6IU2KL56CQ68B 818] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/4QZIH6JIJYFLR8R |title= The State of Wisconsin 1971 Blue Book |year= 1971 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A4QZIH6JIJYFLR8R/full/AOTS2J7LMN67BK9C 302], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A4QZIH6JIJYFLR8R/full/AWMYPMYQNU57FM9C 319] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}

The 1971 legislative term saw the passage of a major redistricting law. Districts were given a formal numbering, and Tregoning's district was made the 51st Assembly district. The boundaries of the district only slightly changed, removing some areas of northeastern Lafayette and northwestern Green counties and adding some territory of western Rock County.{{Cite act|url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1971/related/acts/304.pdf |title= An Act ... relating to districting the senate and assembly based on the number of inhabitants shown by the certified results of the 1970 census of population |type= Act |index= 304 |date= 1971 |legislature= Wisconsin Legislature |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }} The district remained significantly Republican, and Tregoning easily won re-election in 1972 and 1974.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/ZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R |title= The State of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book |year= 1973 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R/full/ATYHRIIHMOODEC8W 808], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R/full/AJBQJEEUDWMLEQ9E 827] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/K4UW47RO2T4A38E |title= The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1975 |year= 1975 |publisher= |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AK4UW47RO2T4A38E/full/AKN3IXVQGRJZ4V8M 808], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AK4UW47RO2T4A38E/full/AQ7AYKGSRGWC2P86 830] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}

Just after the 1974 election, Tregoning suffered a severe injury while working on his farm. A piece of his clothing became stuck in a powered post hole digger. His left arm was severed, his right arm, left shoulder, left leg, and several ribs were broken, and he received a concussion.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-tregoning-amputa/136329044/ |title= Rep. Tregoning 'Still Critical' |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= December 1, 1974 |page= 2 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} After a long hospitalization and moths of recovery, he returned to the State Capitol for the first time in April 1975.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-tregoning-adjust/136338678/ |title= Legislator, Wife Snub Limits of Handicapped |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= January 27, 1975 |first= Tony |last= Walter |page= 10 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-tregoning-back-a/136340141/ |title= Tregoning 'Grateful' to be Back at Work |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 5, 1975 |first= Lisa C. |last= Berman |page= 18 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}

After his accident, Tregoning won three more terms in that Assembly district.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/XFTVPSYH4JPMZ8D |title= The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1977 |year= 1977 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXFTVPSYH4JPMZ8D/full/A7GXRMHJPQFGWU84 893], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXFTVPSYH4JPMZ8D/full/AE37YUJI7UXJJW8R 915] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/KCFKES24WHTNW8F |title= The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1979–1980 |year= 1979 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKCFKES24WHTNW8F/full/A7UCBUSU4KG6HI82 907], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKCFKES24WHTNW8F/full/AI544DFOEIINP38F 925] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WSZOQ2EA4U3UJ8F |title= The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1981–1982 |year= 1981 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AWSZOQ2EA4U3UJ8F/full/AVYBAH33SXKR6S8Z 895], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AWSZOQ2EA4U3UJ8F/full/AC7ERPPHV6A4E28K 916] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }} In 1982, the Wisconsin legislature underwent another drastic redistricting by court-order. This time, Tregoning's district was significantly effected. The court plan placed his native Lafayette County in the 38th Assembly district; Green and Rock counties were removed entirely, replaced by Iowa County and parts of southern Sauk County. The 1982 election was the closest of Tregoning's career, as he received only 52% of the vote.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/ZJZ7PTZ7WFUWF8X |title= State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1983–1984 |year= 1983 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZJZ7PTZ7WFUWF8X/full/AGFN4SD4WY6X3M8J 889], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AZJZ7PTZ7WFUWF8X/full/ARVCZIQROIH6MP8L 911] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }} It was his only election in the 38th Assembly district, as a 1983 act of the legislature superseded the court-ordered district plan. The 1983 act restored his previous district number—51—but made only slight changes to the district boundaries from the 1982 plan, removing the areas of Sauk County and adding areas of southeast Grant County.{{cite act|url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1983/related/acts/29.pdf |title= An Act ... relating to redistricting the senate and assembly based on the 1980 federal census of population and making miscellaneous changes in the statutes pertaining to decennial legislative redistricting |type= Act |index= 29 |date= 1983 |legislature= Wisconsin Legislature |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}

Tregoning went on to win the 1984 election under the new 51st Assembly district.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/TH64IFYQF6YFR8L |title= State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1985–1986 |year= 1985 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATH64IFYQF6YFR8L/full/AE3CAKNHGWAUCQ8O 908], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATH64IFYQF6YFR8L/full/AM4K4K4NCQDQBS8V 926] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }} In 1986, he faced his first primary challenge since winning office in 1967. His challenger was 26 year old Hazel Green farmer Stephen Freese, who charged that Tregoning, after 19 years in office, had lost touch with his district. Freese ran hard, knocking on 10,000 doors in the district, but fell 326 votes short in the primary.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-assembly-primary/136343438/ |title= Deininger upsets Manske in 47th District race |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= September 10, 1986 |first= Jerry |last= Ambelang |page= 7 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} Tregoning went on to win the 1986 general election and one more term in 1988.{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/KW3XV2DGSUDCO8L |title= State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1987–1988 |year= 1987 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Barish |editor-first2= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKW3XV2DGSUDCO8L/full/AB47B3COT4NF2X8I 889], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKW3XV2DGSUDCO8L/full/ALCYHXIDN77CU483 908] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/GWSZSEDPAWDVC84 |title= State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1989–1990 |year= 1989 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Barish |editor-first2= Lawrence S. |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGWSZSEDPAWDVC84/full/AU6AKVCYJULLH686 911], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AKW3XV2DGSUDCO8L/full/AB47B3COT4NF2X8I 926] |accessdate= December 5, 2023 }} Freese would ultimately succeed Tregoning.

In 1990, Wisconsin agriculture secretary Howard C. Richards announced his plan to retire and Tregoning decided to seek the office. At that time, the secretary was selected by a board of commissioners, not directly appointed by the governor. Tregoning was one of three finalists, along with former Republican legislator James Harsdorf and Alan Tracy, a close aide of the outgoing secretary.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-agriculture-secretary/136345099/ |title= Three emerge as contenders for top ag job |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= March 23, 1990 |page= 18 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} The board ultimately selected Alan Tracy as the next secretary, but immediately after his appointment, Tracy hired Tregoning as his executive assistant.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-tracy-tregoning/136345331/ |title= Tracy hires Tregoning as assistant |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 21, 1990 |first= Mike |last= Flaherty |page= 14 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}

Tracy and Tregoning served together for over 7 years, and during that time the governor was given authority to directly appoint the secretary. When that change occurred, in 1995, then-governor Tommy Thompson considered replacing Tracy with a political appointee, but deferred. In 1996 and 1997, Tracy and his then-deputy, Elizabeth Kohl, were accused of mismanagement and harassment. The accusations culminated in both of their resignations in June of that year. Tregoning took over as acting secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and served in that capacity until Governor Thompson appointed a successor in November. The new secretary, Ben Brancel, chose to keep Tregoning on as deputy secretary.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-brancel-ag-secre/136346483/ |title= Brancel chosen to head state ag division |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= October 8, 1997 |first= Mike |last= Flaherty |page= 1 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}

Tregoning lost his title in 2001, when Tommy Thompson was replaced as governor by Scott McCallum. McCallum appointed his own secretary and deputy secretary, but allowed Tregoning to remain on as an employee of the department. Nevertheless, Tregoning's ouster was met with bipartisan disappointment in the state capitol.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-tregoning-out/136346909/ |title= Tregonings keep perspective on life |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= April 9, 2001 |first= Matt |last= Pommer |page= 3 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} Tregoning accepted the demotion to assistant to new secretary James Harsdorf and was later assigned administrator of the division of agricultural development. He remained in that role until his retirement in 2003.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-country-today-tregoning-retiring/136347204/ |title= Tregoning leaving Wisconsin politics after 36 years |newspaper= The Country Today |date= February 19, 2003 |first= Jeanne |last= Carpenter |page= 1 |accessdate= December 5, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}

Joe Tregoning married Jeanne M. Brunette in 1971. They met when Jeanne was assigned as to his legislative office as a secretary during his first legislative term. Jeanne was a Democrat and the granddaughter of state legislator E. F. Brunette. After working in Joe's office during the 1967 session, Jeanne was hired as a staffer on the Kellett Commission on reorganization of state government.

Jeanne and Joe Tregoning had one son together before Jeanne was paralyzed in an automobile accident in 1972. Joe spent the next 44 years as her primary caregiver, even after his own serious accident in 1974.

Outside of politics, Tregoning was active in the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International and Freemasonry. After leaving the Department of Agriculture, Tregoning largely stayed out of public affairs, but did weigh in occasionally to support candidates, including his friend former governor Tommy Thompson in his 2012 U.S. Senate campaign.

Jeanne M. Tregoning died at age 75 in Madison, Wisconsin on August 9, 2016; Joe died on October 10, 2019. He was survived by his son and three grandchildren.

{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-wi-hs}}

{{s-bef|before = G. Fred Galli }}

{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the Green–Lafayette district}} |years= April 10, 1967{{spnd}}January 1, 1973 }}

{{s-non|reason = District abolished }}

|-

{{s-non|reason = District established by {{nowrap|[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1971/related/acts/304.pdf 1971 Wis. Act 304]}} }}

{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the 51st district}} |years= January 1, 1973{{spnd}}January 3, 1983 }}

{{s-aft|after = Patricia Spafford Smith }}

|-

{{s-bef|before = Harland E. Everson }}

{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the 38th district}} |years= January 3, 1983{{spnd}}January 7, 1985 }}

{{s-aft|after = Margaret S. Lewis }}

|-

{{s-bef|before = Patricia Spafford Smith }}

{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the 51st district}} |years= January 7, 1985{{spnd}}May 28, 1990 }}

{{s-aft|after = Stephen Freese }}

{{s-gov}}

{{s-bef|before = Alan Tracy }}

{{s-ttl|title = Acting Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection |years= August 1, 1997{{spnd}}November 2, 1997 }}

{{s-aft|after = Ben Brancel }}

{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tregoning, Joseph}}

Category:1941 births

Category:2019 deaths

Category:People from Dubuque, Iowa

Category:People from Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Category:Farmers from Wisconsin

Category:Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly

Category:American amputees

Category:20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature