Ikard, William S., 1847-1934

Born in Somerville, Mississippi, William Susan Ikard (1847-1934), was one of five sons of Milton Ikard and Isabella Tubb. Ikard lived with his family in Louisiana for a short time before relocating to Texas in 1852. Nicknaming himself Sude, Ikard learned to farm and ranch and fought with local Native Americans in several conflicts. Although Ikard was only 16 years old, in 1863 he joined a militia to protect the northern Texas frontier during the Civil War. Following the war, Ikard and his brother Elisha employed themselves in rounding up stray cattle in Parker County, to return to the owners for a dollar each. Eventually accumulating a herd, the Ikard brothers made cattle drives up the Chisholm Trail from 1867 to 1874. In 1871, Ikard and his brother helped establish the town of Henrietta, and four years later, they purchased property in Charlie and established a ranch, which flourished until a drought in 1881.

In 1877, Ikard married Mary Kate Lewis, with whom he had eight children. His profitable ventures allowed him to purchase large tracts of land near Wichita Falls and in Clay and Archer counties. Establishing Circle Ranch in Archer County around 1883, Ikard entered into partnership with three of his brothers, and they became the first ranchers to fence their land in northern Texas. In addition to being one of the founders of the Cattle Raisers Association of Texas (currently the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association), Ikard helped found and was the first president of the Texas Hereford Association.

...