Samuel H. Hoard (May 20, 1800 – November 25, 1881) was an American publisher, merchant, judge and politician from Massachusetts.

Originally a student of law, Hoard became partner at a mercantile firm until his election as a magistrate in New York.

Hoard moved to Illinois to manage a farm and quickly became an important local political figure.

[2] In the late 1830s, Hoard headed west to Cook County, Illinois to manage a farm.

When his term expired, Hoard was appointed clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, moving to Chicago, Illinois.

[2] The partnership continued until the outbreak of the Civil War, when Hoard left to become the secretary of the Union Defense Committee.