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Henry Smith Pond

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Henry Smith Pond

Birth	:	16 Aug 1843 Farmingdale, Sangamon County, Illinois, USA
Death	:	12 Jul 1898 Glendale, Beaverhead County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Eastlawn Cemetery, Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.7769012, -83.2256012
Plot	:	Unplotted
Description	:	Henry Smith Pond was born on August 16, 1841 in Farmingdale, Illinois to Billious and Melissa Moore Northrup Pond. Melissa was the second wife of Billious Pond, he had first married Rhoda Orton, who passed on in October of 1838. This first marriage was blessed with ten children, so Henry would be welcomed by a sizable number of half brothers and sisters, but was the only child of his father's second marriage. At the time of Henry's birth, Billious was sixty years of age. He had to have been a hearty soul, as he lived to see his ninety third... Read More	Henry Smith Pond was born on August 16, 1841 in Farmingdale, Illinois to Billious and Melissa Moore Northrup Pond. Melissa was the second wife of Billious Pond, he had first married Rhoda Orton, who passed on in October of 1838. This first marriage was blessed with ten children, so Henry would be welcomed by a sizable number of half brothers and sisters, but was the only child of his father's second marriage. At the time of Henry's birth, Billious was sixty years of age. He had to have been a hearty soul, as he lived to see his ninety third birthday. Henry was his last child, however. Henry Pond grew up in the plush valleys of Sangamon County surrounding Springfield, known as the "Land of Lincoln." He was an attentive student, and a quick study, always yearning to learn more. In 1860 he attended Knox Business College in Galesburg, Illinois. His primary interest was in learning accounting practices and business principles. It is quite obvious that while attending Knox, Henry made up his mind and wanted nothing to do with the disagreement between the North and the South. Having reviewed a number of correspondences to and from Henry to others during this time period, he never mentions the conflict nor voices an opinion one way or another. After months of anticipation and planning it was on April 28, 1862 that he bid farewell to his family and began his grueling journey to the Idaho Mines. On April 29, 1862, at St. Louis, Missouri, Henry booked passage aboard the "Shreveport", a shallow hulled paddle wheel vessel, captained by Joseph LaBarge. The "Shreveport" and her companion the "Emilie," also owned by the LaBarge, Harkness & Co, and captained by Joseph's brother John LaBarge, were among the first to traverse the mighty Missouri loaded with freight and passengers destined for the Gold Mines of Idaho. The mighty Missouri had been used for a number of years by the fur trading companies and government contractors, but Henry's voyage would be among the first destined to transport civilians, or "pilgrams" as they were called in the west, to the very brink of the gold fields in what was at the time, Idaho Territory. The Shreveport had a lengthy service on many of the rivers between the gulf and the upper ports, but would only make one successful trip to the uppermost port of Fort Benton. Her second attempt had to be aborted due to low water on the Missouri, and managed only to reach Cow Island, near where the Fort Peck reservoir is now located. At that point, her freight and passengers were off-loaded. From here teamsters recovered the cargo and the passengers that had not yet made their way to Fort Benton. The cost to Henry for fare from St. Louis to Fort Benton was $100 for cabin passage. Deck passage was also an option for $75. Henry wisely paid the difference and would have some improved accommodations, including a bunk in which to sleep. On board were about a hundred passengers and 200 tons of freight. After a grueling boat ride aboard the "Shreveport", he arrived at Fort Benton at about noon on June 17, 1862. Captains Joseph and John LaBarge, chose to dock just to the south of Fort Benton where they had in mind to start a new port under the name of " LaBarge." Not much had been done for development here at this site, so Henry and his companions pitched their tents and made temporary quarters along the mighty Missouri. (The attempt by the Labarge brothers to establish this new port was short lived, they would later choose Cottonwood (Deer Lodge) as their port of call, and did succeed in renaming that village to LaBarge City for a period of time. It was later changed to Deer Lodge, and remains so to this date. The next several days were used for recovering freight and baggage from the Shreveport and settling up on their bill. It came to $11. Then the task of assembling his outfit and, of course, arranging for a guide to the gold fields. Meals were taken aboard the Shreveport for the first couple of days, but following breakfast on the 19th, they commenced camp life, and from this point on, were on their own. Having finally made a deal with a man named Morgan for conveyance to the mines, arrangements were made for the journey. On June 23, their pack train completed, they were under way shortly after their noon meal. All bags and baggage had been neatly packed aboard the horses, and they headed out for the mines on foot! Disaster would strike the party on the very first morning along the trail. A member of their party, while gathering his gear together to head out, was removing his rifle from his tent and caused it to accidentally discharge, hitting his son in the abdomen and traveling upward. He died about an hour afterward, suffering greatly, and was buried at the camp site. The party then moved on, obviously greatly saddened. The journey over the east slope of the Rocky Mountains proved a trying one for Henry. Several times he noted the ragged condition of his feet. Since he was walking the majority of the distance, blisters would become his nemesis. Occasionally he would ride to rest his feet, only to once again walk the trail, never once slowing down the party. The long ride up the Missouri, and then laying around Fort Benton until actually hitting the trail, most certainly contributed to poor conditioning for the journey. Finally, on the evening of July 4, at about sundown, they arrived across the Hellgate River from (American Fork) Gold Creek, and made camp for the night. On the 5th of July, Henry and his party crossed the River and ascended up Gold Creek (American Fork) to the mining camps of Granville, and James Stuart and others who were working the diggings upstream. (The first gold strike of what would become the Montana Territory, occurred on this tributary shortly before Henry arrived. A Frenchman by the name of "Benetsee" is credited for this maiden strike.) He worked the mines for a short while and then went to work for Frank Worden who was considering building a store. Henry's carpentry skills kept him busy putting up a store for Frank Worden, and his business skills quickly led to a clerking job at the store. By the end of 1862, the exodus to the Beaverhead carried Henry along as well. He arrived at Bannack in time to start the New Year of 1863. He worked the mines and established himself as a carpenter at an opportune time when there was much need for homes and business buildings. In 1864-65 Henry served as deputy postmaster of Bannack. Then on January 21, 1866 he married Cordelia Kirkpatrick, a sister of the Kirkpatrick Brothers, James and Robert, early pioneers of the Beaverhead, and the daughter of Mary Mann and step-daughter of James Mann, who homesteaded on Rattlesnake Creek. The Kirkpatrick Brothers also had a sister Clarinda. who married Joseph Keppler, the earliest jeweler in Montana Territory. Henry and Cordelia had three children; Mary, Marcia and Maurice. Mary later married George Vance at Glendale and became the parents of Ethel, Roy and Percie. Marcia married Nicholas Wombacher. Maurice died very young and is buried with his Mother up on the hill in the old Bannack cemetery. Cordelia, having been stricken with typhoid fever while recovering from a bout with scarlet fever, passed away Sept. 27, 1875, just 23 years of age. Subsequent to Cordelia's death, Henry continued his mercantile business in Bannack. At about this time, many of Montana Territories' earliest pioneers united, with a common bond to preserve the history of this floundering new country. Henry was among them, having always inspired to record events as they occurred throughout his trek West. Henry's intimate concern for historical preservation resulted in his being among a handful of the earliest settlers in Montana Territory to become charter members of the Society of Montana Pioneers. He would later serve as recording secretary of the Beaverhead Chapter, and remained an active member throughout his lifetime. On May 6, 1876, Henry, along with other notable Montana Pioneers and tax payers of Beaverhead County would sign their name to a petition addressed to the Board of Commissioners of Beaverhead County, asking for the immediate construction of a court house. Henry would be among the first few who would be married here when on March 18, 1877, Henry married Ethelia Romain in the newly constructed County Court House. They resided in Bannack until 1878 when Henry packed up his entire store and moved it to Glendale. Henry and Ethelia were blessed with two sets of twins. The first twins died in infancy at Glendale in 1878. Ernest and Elmer, the second set of twins, were born in 1880. Ernest also died in infancy, but Elmer survived to become a successful merchant in Basin and Melrose. Elmer later served as postmaster at Melrose from 1935 until his death in 1940. His widow Lillian (Maude) continued on as postmistress until her retirement in 1951. Henry Pond maintained, until his death, an active interest in the mercantile business, having established at Bannack City, Argenta, Glendale, Melrose, Dewey Flats, Butte and other areas. Throughout his years of doing business in the Territory, partners and associates included Mr. Whittick of Bannack City, Alfred J. Urlin, Napoleon Genereaux, George Vance, Thomas Fox, and Albert Gunderson. In 1881, Henry was appointed postmaster at Melrose, the terminus of the Utah Northern Railroad, being the second to serve in that capacity following its inception in 1881. Henry S. Pond was a revered member of the A.O.U.W. Lodge of Dillon. Those who knew Henry Smith. Pond held him in great esteem. The funeral for Henry S. Pond was reported to be among the largest ever attended in Beaverhead County. He is buried in the family plot at Glendale with Ethelia and three of their four children. As a fitting tribute to Henry S. Pond, many descendants continue to reside in the State that he helped establish and which is his final resting place. Henry Smith Pond died July 12, 1898 at his home in Melrose, Montana and was laid to rest beside his three small children in the family plot at the Glendale Cemetery.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Henry Smith Pond's memorial?
Henry Smith Pond's memorial is located at: Eastlawn Cemetery, Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA.
When did Henry Smith Pond death?
Henry Smith Pond death on 12 Jul 1898 in Glendale, Beaverhead County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Henry Smith Pond's memorial?
Latitude: 42.7769012
Longitude: -83.2256012

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Ethelia Romain Pond

(1858 - 1909)

Children

Mary Pond Vance

(1867 - 1931)

(1877 - 1878)

(1877 - 1878)

(1879 - 1880)

Flowers:

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

Rest in peace Grandpa Pond!

Left by Anonymous on 15 Nov 2011

Proper credit to the author of this excellent biography is neglected by the person that posted this listing. After years of research it was prepared and first published in a 1991 History offered as "The History of Beaverhead County." It may be found and authenticated on page 449-450 of that volume. Includes the authors name. Read less

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

To a very distant cousin - rest in peace. Henry Smith Pond was the sone of Melisa Northrope Moore Pond and Billious Pond (1781-1874). Per family records, Henry was born 8/16/1841 in Sangamon County.

Left by Anonymous on 17 Jun 2011

In loving memory from the Vance, Pomeroy and related families.

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

To remind visitors that many artifacts originally possessions of H.S. Pond can be seen and studied at the Montana Historical Society Library in Helena. Material collected graciously donated in trust from some of the Pomeroy-Vance grandchildren.

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

Left by Anonymous on 23 Jun 2019

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

Rest in peace Grandpa Pond!

Left by Anonymous on 15 Nov 2011

Proper credit to the author of this excellent biography is neglected by the person that posted this listing. After years of research it was prepared and first published in a 1991 History offered as "The History of Beaverhead County." It may be found and authenticated on page 449-450 of that volume. Includes the authors name. Read less

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

To a very distant cousin - rest in peace. Henry Smith Pond was the sone of Melisa Northrope Moore Pond and Billious Pond (1781-1874). Per family records, Henry was born 8/16/1841 in Sangamon County.

Left by Anonymous on 17 Jun 2011

In loving memory from the Vance, Pomeroy and related families.

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

To remind visitors that many artifacts originally possessions of H.S. Pond can be seen and studied at the Montana Historical Society Library in Helena. Material collected graciously donated in trust from some of the Pomeroy-Vance grandchildren.

Left by Anonymous on 23 Mar 2014

Left by Anonymous on 23 Jun 2019

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Eastlawn Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7769012, -83.2256012

2. Immanuel Gardens Memorial Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7776260, -83.2239410

3. Perry Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7788050, -83.2250580

4. Evergreen Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7875980, -83.2460310

5. Saint Benedict Monastery Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8097800, -83.1997430

6. Bigler Cemetery
Oakland Township, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7386017, -83.2149963

7. Saint Augustine's House Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8143240, -83.2062230

8. Berridge Family Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7513620, -83.2684670

9. Square Lake Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7703018, -83.2827988

10. Paint Creek Cemetery
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7472000, -83.1802979

11. Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8098530, -83.2702030

12. Saint Marys-In-The-Hills Episcopal Memorial Garden
Lake Orion, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7436630, -83.2839530

13. Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8251305, -83.2742691

14. Oxford Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8244591, -83.2766266

15. Lakeville Cemetery
Lakeville, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8133011, -83.1564026

16. Kline Cemetery
Rochester, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7686005, -83.1378021

17. Brewster Cemetery
Rochester Hills, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7019005, -83.1853027

18. Guardian Angel Cemetery
Rochester, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7307892, -83.1354218

19. North Oxford Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8647003, -83.2407990

20. Clifton Cemetery
Clifton Mill, Macomb County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7900009, -83.0991974

21. Case Cemetery
Clarkston, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7916985, -83.3531036

22. Kingsbury Cemetery
Oxford, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8713875, -83.2019424

23. Mount Vernon Cemetery
Mount Vernon, Macomb County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7414570, -83.0862950

24. Van Hoosen Jones Stoney Creek Cemetery
Rochester, Oakland County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6953468, -83.1228256