Jim Zilverberg (1918-2009) was a commercial artist and cartoonist known for his farm cartoons.
Born in Tripp, South Dakota on August 23, 1918, Jim Zilverberg grew up on a ranch in Highmore, South Dakota. He graduated from Aberdeen State Teachers College in the late 1930s and worked as a teacher for a few years. Although lacking any formal art training, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and became a commercial artist.
In the 1950s, Zilverberg was hired by the Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association and produced commercial work and editorial cartoons. Zilverberg’s work appeared in newspapers and magazines in over 30 countries including in the Star Tribune, Outdoor News and Sports Afield . Zilverberg's commercial work included calendars and logos and he is credited with creating the Minnesota State Fair mascot. He also produced two comic strips, The Tillers and Ada the Avreshire .
Jim Zilverberg formally retired in 1981 but continued to cartoon. He died of cancer on March 31, 2009 in Wayzata, Minnesota.
From the guide to the Jim Zilverberg Cartoons, circa 1966-1967, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)
