FORMER GOVERNOR
JAMES PONDER
DEATH
November 5, 1897 at his
home in Milton, Delaware, James Ponder, stricken with
paralysis yesterday, has
died.
The Honorable James Ponder
was born in Milton, Sussex county, Delaware , on
October 31st,
1819, the son of the Honorable John Ponder. He had received a good
education
in the academies of
Milton, Lewes and Georgetown , completing his studies by 1838.
That year
he became a clerk in his
fathers store in Milton, and the 1st of January, 1843,
he was admitted as a partner into his fathers mercantile business
and became engaged in shipping produce, grain, wood,
bark, lumber and had a hand
in the ship building industry at Milton. He also had a considerable
ship dealership, buying and selling vessels world wide. In 1850
they erected a large steam mill for sawing lumber and ship timbers ,
also the manufacture of quercitron bark, which was located on the
south side
of the Broadkill river. He
continued with the very large business until the death of his father
when the mercantile business was relinquished and he devoted himself
to the shipping of grain, lumber, ship timbers, bark . He was one
of the largest land owner of Sussex county and very interested in the
agriculture business. His
thousands of acres, many bought by him but some, the Ponder
Homestead, were patented by his great grandfather, John Ponder,
were divided into farmsteads and were very productive, especially
with peaches.
The former Governor Ponder
was always deeply interested in public affairs and was active in
the Democratic party. 1856 saw him elected to the Legislature. 1864
he was elected to the State Senate and by 1867 was chosen the House
Speaker . He was elected Governor in 1870 by a large majority over
his Kent county competitor. He filled the office with great honor to
himself and to the general
satisfaction of the people
of the state.
He was a life long member
of the Protestant Episcopal Church as was the family for many
generations.
He married Sallie Waples,
daughter of Gidion Waples of Milton, July 1851. His surviving
children were Ida, John, James W., and a deceased son at age 7.
His funeral service was
held in St. John the Baptist Church in Milton.
Source: Wilmington
News Journal , Friday , November 5, 1897.
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