The sun., 1897-11-06
GOVERNOR PONDEPS DEATH
Expired Yesterday Morning at
His Home in Milton.
STRICKEN WITH PARALYSIS.
Career of an Honorcd Citizen, and
Successful Business Man
Brought to II
Close.

Ex-Governor James Ponder, who was
stricken with paralysis on Thursday,
died yesterday morning at his home in
Milton.
Hon. James Ponder was born in Mil
ton on October 81, 1919. He was a son
of the late Hon. John Ponder. He re-
cievcd a good education at the acad-
emies of Milton, Lewes and George
town. completing his studies in 1888,
when he became clerk in his fathers
store in Milton. On January |, 1913,
he was admitted into partnership with
his father. They carried on an extensive
mercantile business, and were largely en-
gagged in shipping produce, grain, wood,
bark, lumber, etc, also in building YES
sells in Milton. The son also at that time
bought and sold vessels to a considerable
extent. In 1860 he erected a steam mill,
for saving lumber and ship timber and
for the manufacture Of quercitron bark.
The works were located on the south
side of the Broadkiln, a short distance
below the bridge. The business he car
ried on was very large, especially in
bark, $4,000 worth Of whidh he some
times had on hand at q time. He con-
tinucd in all the above until the death
Of his father, in 1863, when he relin-
qushed the home mercantile depart
ment and devoted himself to buying
and shipping grain, bark, ship timber,
etc. lie was largely interested in agri-
culture, and was one Of the most extern
sivc land owners in Sussex county. tie
had several thousand acres OF land, divi-
ded into farms and under good cultiva-
ton. He was engaged in peach culture,
although not making that speciality.
Most Of his land he had purchased him
self, in addition to which he held the
original estate patented by his great
grandfather, John Ponder.
Ex-Governor Ponder was always deeply
interested in public affairs, and actively
engaged in promoting the fortunes OF the
Democratic party, with which he had
been identified since coming Of age. In
1856 he was elected to the Legislature,
and served in the session of 1857,
during which he assisted in the
election of Martin ". Bates and
James A.. Bayard to the United States
Senate, and introduced the bill incor-
poratng the junction a Brcakwater
Railroad which aftcrward became law.
In 1864 he was elected to the State
Senate, of which he was chosen Speaker
in 1867, filling this honorable and re-
sponSib!e position with marked abll-
itv and distinction. In 1870 he was
elected governor by large majority
over lis competitor, Thomas b. C"iSry
OF Spriny Mills, Kent county, and was
inaug,:r;,tcd on the third Tuesday "l
.Junrarv, 1871. lie filled the glbcrna
toriaI office for four years with great
llDnlf To lllIlNtll anu W. WV o.
cral satisfaction of the pcop.c OF tho
state. From his youth he has been {;
member of the Protestant EPlscopa
Church, to which the family has be-
iongcd for many generations, lie was !;
warden in st. John the Baptist Eplsc"
pal Church at Milton. lie was unltc'
in marriage in July, 1881, to Miss Sal'le
daughter Of Gideon Waplcs Of Milton
The surviving children are Ida, J"fl
and James W. The deceased son died II
his seventh year
His funeral will take place on Monda.
afternoon. Services will be held in st
John the Baptist Church, Milton, at
o'clock.