Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-11


der, who was stricken with paralysis
yesterday, died this morning at his
home, in Milton,
SKETCH OF THE DECEASED.
Hon. James Ponder was horn in Mil.
ton on October 3lat, 1912. lie was son
of the late Hon. John Ponder. He re-.
ceived a good education in the acad-
emies OF Milton. Lewes ami George
town, completing his studies in 1898,
when be hecnme a clark in his father q
store, in Milton. On January lat, lS+3,
he was admitted into partnership with
his father They carried on an ex.
largely engaged In shipping produces
grain wood, bark, lumber, &c.. also 10
building vessels In Milton. The son
also, at that time. bought and sold
vesHels to considerable extent. 10
1850 he erected large steam mill. for
saving lumber and shin timber aud
for the manufacture Of quercitron bark.
The works were located on the south
side Of the BroadIlln, q short distance
below the bridge. The business he car
ried on was very large, especially in
bark. $40, QUO worth Of which he soma-
times had on hand Mt a time. lie con.
tipued in all the above until the death
OF his father, in 1862, when he re-.
linquished the home mercantile depart.
ment and devoted himself to buying
and shipping grain, bark, ship timber,
&c. lie was largely interested in agri
culture. and was onu Of the most ex-
tensiye land owners in Sussex county.
He had several Thousand acres OF land,
divided into farms and under good cul
tivation. lie was engaged in peach cul
turs, although not making that 1
specially. Most of his land he hnr
purchased himself, in addition TO whiul
Ahe held the original estate patented b,
Ibis great grandfather. John Ponder.
'1 Ex.G Gov. Ponder was always deopl!
4 Interested in public affairs, and autivel.
engaged in promoting tho fortunes o
|z6be Democratic party, with which b.
Had been identified since arriving a
Z5irpaI ago. In 1856 he was elacted 4
y Vic Legislature. and served in the ses
sion OF 1857, during which he assisted il
the election of Martin W. Bates anI
James a. Bayard to tho United state
Senate, and introduced the bill incor
pOrating the Junction & Breakwato
railroad. which afterward became
law. In 1864 he was elected to tn
Stats Senate, of which ho was chose
Sneaker in 1867, filling this HONORABLE
and responsible position With marke
ability and distinction. In 1870 h
was elected Governor by large ma
jority over his competition, Thomas 3
Coursey of Spring Mills, Kunt county
and was inangurated on the thir
Tuesday of January, 1871. lilo fillo
the gubernntorial office for four yeni
with great honor to himself and to tn
general satisfaction Of the people Of tn
State. From his youth he has been
member OF the Protestant Episcopi
Church, to which tho family has b,
logged for many generations. lie was
warden in st. john the Bantist Epi
eopal Church, at Milton. He wad unite
in marriage in July, 1851, to Mi
Sallie. daughter OF Gideon NAPLES I
Milton. The surviving children nj
Ida. John and james ". The decease
sun died 10 his 7th year.
Milton, Nov. s.-Ths funeral of e;
y Gov James Ponder took place to
afternoon, and was largely attended
The services were held in the ChurC
OF st. John the'Baptist. Bishop Col
man ofllciHted, ami was assisted by Il
Rev. J. L. Mollim of Milford, Il
Rev john Warnock of Georgetown al
the Rev j. U. Taylor OF Lswes. III
bishops address was highly eulogisl
of the deceased. Music was provid,
by a choir FROM Lewes, with Mi
Margaret Orr as organist. The inte
ment was in the Milton cometer
Gov. Tunnel, Gov. Stockley, Chi
Justice Lore, Associate Judge Boyc
William Denney. Il. }. Morris, o.
Pennewill and Dr. Hiram r. Burt,
were the pail bearers.
A special train brought people I
siding along the route of thu Quo
Anne's railroad, and the directors
that road wers present in a bndy,
were also the directors OF the Farme
Bank at Georgetown and thB directt
OF the Kent County Mutual Insuran
Go. Others in attendance includ
many men prominent in State affairs
Milton 8 business houses were drap
with mourning.