William Gates LeDuc (March 29, 1823 – October 30, 1917) was an American politician from Minnesota who served as the fourth United States commissioner of agriculture from July 1, 1877, to 1881.

He also served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was a prominent figure in the early development of Minnesota.

[6] When the bison was crossing Fifth Avenue, it became excited and made a "dash toward the lamp post," leaving behind "a wrecked road wagon and a badly frightened horse flying up at the avenue ..." The exhibition was relatively successful, and LeDuc sold the bison to a zookeeper.

[9] LeDuc moved to Hastings, Minnesota in 1856[4] or 1857[9] and was a wheat grower and miller there, as well as engaging in land speculation.

[5] LeDuc served in the American Civil War beginning in 1862, when he was made a lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.

His service in building corduroy roads in the retreat before the Seven Days Battles was credited by the Minnesota Historical Society as having helped save "a considerable portion of the artillery".

In the Western Army, LeDuc was involved in the Chattanooga campaign, initially in command of the supplies at Bridgeport, Alabama.

He was then temporarily attached to the staff of George Henry Thomas and repaired a bridge during the Battle of Franklin.

When the Civil War ended in 1865, LeDuc was discharged at the rank of brevet brigadier general and returned to Hastings.

[14][15] LeDuc, who felt that agriculture was the "fundamental industry", advocated diversifying farming so that the United States could produce.