IMPORTANT VIRGINIA AND TEXAS ASSOCIATED AGRICULTURAL PATENT MODEL, wood and metal, No. 125,961 for "Improvement in Sulky-Cultivator and Horse-Hoe" by Hugh Paxton Jordan (1830-1899) of Victoria, Texas, granted on April 23, 1872. This was an improvement to the first cultivator patented by Jordan on January 10, 1871. Patent information inscribed on seat, name and town inscribed on rear cross piece. A copy of the patent record and other research material accompanies this lot. Reserve. 1872. 8 3/4" H, 9 1/2" L.

Provenance: Property of a descendent of the inventor.
Catalogue Note: Hugh Jordan was born in Alleghany Co., Virginia in 1830. His father, Edwin and grandfather John were early ironmasters in Alleghany Co. where they owned and operated the Longdale Furnace. Hugh Jordan married Judith A. Shirkey in 1849 and in 1852 moved with his father-in-law, Col. John Shirkey to Victoria Co., Texas becoming prominent early settlers of the region. In 1857 Jordan purchased 640 acres of land and by the time of his death his land holdings had increased to 12,000 acres where he herded large droves of cattle. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, First Texas Cavalry and for the first year served on the frontier of the Rio Grande River. Later in the war he was detailed to build iron works for the Confederacy. He served as General Superintendent of the iron works in Marion Co. until the end of the war after which he returned to his Crescent Valley ranch where he perfected his sulky cultivator. A biography of Jordan was included in the "Memorial and Genealogical Record of Southwest Texas" which was published in 1894. He was described as "being an honest man, a gentleman, and one who has acquired wealth by his own good fighting qualities." Jordan later moved back to Virginia where he died about eight miles from his birthplace in 1899.

Excellent overall condition with outstanding patina, appears complete except for the loss of one securing pin, one wheel with old replacement of two spokes.