J. D. "Ikard" Sugg
Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas
Marker Inscription
J.D. “Ikard” Sugg (1854-1925) Joseph D. Sugg was born in Mississippi, the youngest of 13 children. After his mother’s death, he headed west, working on a cattle drive heading north from the Red River in 1868. Later a rancher in partnership with brother Cal, he leased lands in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and Texas, and sold horses to the government of Mexico. He maintained close ties to Cooke County, where he got his start in ranching, and considered it home. Upon his death in Chickasha, Oklahoma, he left money to the Cooke County Poor Farm and to the maintenance of this cemetery. Recorded - 2006
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Joseph D. "Ikard" Sugg (1854-1925), the youngest of thirteen children born in Mississippi, headed west as a teenager and worked a cattle drive north from the Red River in 1868. He became a prominent rancher in partnership with his brother Cal, leasing land across Indian Territory and Texas and even selling horses to the Mexican government, while always considering Cooke County his home. At his death he left bequests to the county poor farm and to the upkeep of this cemetery.
Why it matters
Sugg's rise from trail hand to major cattleman embodies the open-range ranching era that built the economy and legend of the Texas frontier.
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Related people
- · Joseph D. "Ikard" Sugg
Themes & tags
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