THEODORE DWIGHT POND

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES
CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY
OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 1094

THEODORE DWIGHT POND, who efficiently fills the public offices of town clerk and judge of probate, is a leading citizen of Brooklyn, Windham Co., Conn. The Pond family is one of age and respectability in the State of Connecticut and numbers among its members leading citizens in almost all professional
circles.

Great-grandfather Enoch Pond was a Congregational minister at Ashford, Conn., and his death occurred while he was in charge of a church in that place. His eloquence was such that at one time Gen. George Washington went to hear him expound the gospel.

Enoch Pond (2), son of Enoch, was born in Wrentham, Mass., during a pastorate of his father in that place. The former was endowed with great musical ability, which induced him to become a teacher in his earlier life, but for more practical reasons he learned the shoemaking trade, later developing a large shoe business in Chaplin, Conn., where he died. His first marriage was to Mary Clark, of Chaplin, and all his children were born to this union. Later he contracted two other marriages, but they were without issue. His children were: Elvira Minerva, married Sheffield Snow, an Adventist preacher, and she died at Mott Haven, N.Y.; Enoch, the father of Mr. Pond, of Brooklyn; Mary Ann Delia, married Ebenezer Robbins; Margaret Smith, died, unmarried at the age of twenty-seven years; and Theodore Dwight, married Mary Ann Preston, and was a cabinetmaker in Brooklyn, Connecticut.

Enoch Pond (3), son of Enoch (2), was born in Wrentham, Mass., May 11, 1810. His education was pursued in the district schools of the time and locality, but he was early started to work out a career for himself. For a short time he was employed in Brookfield, Mass., but he was only fourteen years old when he came to Brooklyn, Conn., to learn the trade of cabinetmaker, with Moses Clark, of that place. There he attended school for a few weeks during the winter seasons, and thus gained a fair knowledge of the foundation principles, remaining with Mr. Clark until he was twenty-one years old. At this time he entered the employ of Henry Clark and went to the northern part of Georgia, where he remained until he was about twenty-five. Upon his return to Brooklyn, he resumed work at his trade for several years, finally purchasing the cabinetmaking business of David Clark and following this for the remainder of his active career.

In 1862, Mr. Pond combined and undertaking business with his other lines, forming a partnership with Timothy Herrick which lasted until 1866, when the latter’s interest was purchased by Mr. Pond. Several years prior to his death, Enoch Pond suffered a stroke of paralysis which rendered him an invalid, and from which he never recovered. His death took place April 16, 1892, and he was buried in the Brooklyn cemetery.

In earlier years Enoch Pond was a member of the Brooklyn Congregational Church, but in his later years he transferred to the Second Adventist Church, of Abington, and in this organization he was a deacon at the time of his death. Mr. Pond was a deeply religious man and he was well read in the Bible. Although he was a life-long Republican, his tastes and aspirations never lead him to care for political preferment.

The first marriage of Enoch Pond (3) was to Lydia Ashly, of Chaplin, Conn., who died about one year after marriage. His second marriage was Nov. 30, 1837, to Sarah A. Utley, who was born June 26, 1817, a native of Chaplin, Conn., and a daughter of James and Phebe (Clark) Utley, mention of whom is more extended in another part of this volume. Mrs. Pond died Feb. 11, 1903. The children of this union were: Lydia M., born Feb. 23, 1839, married Isaac Pickering, and died at the early age of nineteen years; Theodore Dwight, born March 21, 1842; Mary A., born June 23, 1845, died at the age of seven years; George E., born July 5, 1847; John C., born Jan. 6, 1853; and Charles F., born in October 1856.

Of this family the sons have all become conspicuous and have made for themselves notable careers. George E. Pond at the age of sixteen years enlisted in Co. K, 21st C.V.I., and was wounded in the battle of Drury’s
Bluff. After a gallant service, although but a lad, he was honorably discharged with his regiment in June, 1865. Upon his return he became a clerk in Stillman’s hat store , in Hartford, Conn., where he remained for two years, at the end of which time he was given the appointment to West Point Military Academy, by Congressman H.H. Starkweather. Graduating with honor from this national institution, he was then assigned for duty to the western frontier, and for several years was located at Fort Garland, Colo., and later at Fort Riley, having charge of the erection of the garrison there. On the Mexican border he saw hard service and through ability he has risen to the position of Quarter Master General and is located at present at Fort Snelling, St. Paul, Minn., receiving in November, 1901, the well deserved appointment of lieutenant-colonel. His marriage was to Elizabeth Bahnson, of Salem, N.C., and the children born to this union were: George B., who is serving as 1st Lieut. in the U.S.A., in the Philippine Islands; and Bessie U., who died in young womanhood.

John C. Pond was for many years the overseer of the Windham County jail, at Brooklyn, Conn., and later was a watchman and hall keeper at the State Penitentiary, at Wethersfield, Conn. Later he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where for a time he was agent for the Bandera Flagstone Co., and is now a paving stone and curbing contractor in that city. His marriage was to Elsie Dibble, and their two sons, Arthur and Paul, are both students at St. John’s Academy, at Salina, Kansas.

Charles F. Pond has become no less prominent in the Navy than his older brother in the Army. His primary education was obtained in the common schools of Brooklyn, Conn., and he was successful in the competitive
examination for admission to the Annapolis Naval Academy, and graduated from that magnificent institution. During the Spanish war, he was stationed at Brooklyn, N.Y. and in New York City. In 1900 he was given charge of the survey to the Midway Islands, for the United States cable line to the Philippines, and he now is the able commander of the ship “Iroquois.” The marriage of Capt. Pond was to Emma McHenry, and the children born to them are three: Charles McHenry; John Enoch, who is now a student at the Naval
Academy; and Elizabeth Kieth.

The birthplace of Theodore Dwight Pond was Brooklyn, Conn., and he received his primary education in the common schools of his native town. In his father’s business he early took an interest and was also engaged in photography, in Hartford, until Aug. 7, 1862, when he offered his services in defense of his country. Enlisting at that time in Co. K, 21st C.V.I., he entered upon a three years’ service, under Capt. Jeremiah M. Shephard of Plainfield, and Col. Arthur H. Dutton, taking part in the battles of Reeds Ferry, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Drury’s Bluff, and Cold Harbor. Following the last named battle, Col. Dutton was placed in command of the Brigade, and took with him Mr. Pond, as a clerk. At the battles of Fort Harrison, and the siege of Petersburg, the clerical headquarters had the very doubtful advantage of being located at the front. Until the close of the was Mr. Pond continued in this detached service, and received his honorable
discharge June 16, 1865, at Richmond, Va. From Jan. 1, 1865, he had filled the rank of Sergeant. For several months after the close of the war, Mr. Pond was engaged in traveling through the State of Pennsylvania, and in 1866 he returned to Brooklyn and purchased the interest of Mr. Timothy Herrick,
who was engaged in the undertaking business with his father. Since that time Mr. Pond has carried on this business there, under the firm name of E. Pond & Son, this being one of the oldest establishments in this line in the city.

Mr. Pond has ever been strong in his partisanship and devoted to the interests of the Republican party. In the public affairs of the nation as well as the local matters pertaining to his community, he has ever been
identified with progress and advancement, and takes a just pride in the strides taken by the country whose flag he fought to keep unsullied. Mr. Pond has been called on to fill many town and county offices, notably that of constable, collector of town taxes for nine years, registrar of voters, and for over twelve years has dispensed impartial justice as justice of the peace. In 1897 he was appointed to the office of town clerk by the selectmen, to fill the unexpired term of H.H. Davison, deceased. Under Judge Davison, he was clerk of the probate court and was acting judge until the election of 1898 placed him in the office. He also represented the town in the General Assembly of 1881.

In fraternal and social circles, Mr. Pond is well and most favorably known in his community and beyond, being in good fellowship in Mortlake Council, No. 12, O.U.A.M., of Brooklyn, and treasurer of that organization. Mr. Pond was the organizer of Sedgewick Post, at Wauregan, and was commander of the
same during his membership there, later transferring to McGregor Post, No. 27, at Danielson, where he is now the efficient commander. In the Brooklyn Baptist Church he has been useful and active for many years, being at the present time church clerk and the senior acting deacon.

The marriage of Mr. Pond, in Brooklyn, Conn., April 28, 1869, was to Delia M. Brown of that place, a daughter of Deacon Benjamin Brown. The children born to this union were: Theodore H., who married Miss Nellie Hall, is a bookkeeper, at Providence; George H., died young; Wallace L., married Mary
Shippee and is a bookkeeper for the Nicholson File Co., of Providence, their one child being – Rita; Mary L., married Ralph P. Bennett, of Danielson, their son Roy, dying aged five months; and William R., who resides at home. As a citizen Mr. Pond enjoys the esteem of all and his usefulness is valued in the public, religious and social circles of his community.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel – great-great granddaughter of Cyrus White of Rockville, Ct.