Originally a Democrat identified with the Free Soil and Barnburner movements, Hoard's anti-slavery views led him to become a Republican when that party was founded.

Disputes with the War Department over fulfillment of the contract caused Hoard a financial loss.

In the late 1860s Hoard spent time traveling in the western and southern states to inspect his business concerns.

His efforts to improve the town and repair his fortunes proved successful, with Hoard leading expansion of Ceredo's timber industry, including the building of a sawmill and the construction of roads and railroads.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress