Biography of 	PONDER, Silas D., Natchitoches, then Sabine & Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller June 1998

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Ponder, Silas D., an able and efficient attorney of Many, La., was born
in Natchitoches parish Jan.15, 1860, a son of William A. and Margaret
(Holden) Ponder.  The father, a Georgian by birth, moved to Louisiana when
a young man, where he engaged in farming.  At the outbreak of the great
struggle between the states he promptly enlisted in the 12th Louisiana
infantry, in which regiment he was promoted to the rank of second
lieutenant, and continued to fight valiantly for the cause of the
Confederacy until he was taken desperately ill.  He was sent back to his
home, where he recuperated his health, and entered the cavalry under
Col. Vincent, serving under this leader until the close of the war.  He
then returned to Natchitoches and during the dark days of reconstruction
was very active in overthrowing the rule of the "carpet-bag" regime, which
practically held the reins of government at that time.  He was a member of
the McEnery legislature from Natchitoches parish, and also of the "White
league", which drove the "carpet-baggers" out of his parish.  In 1879 he
served the constitutional convention and in the legislature of 1890,
retaining the latter office until his death.  His beloved wife passed away
in 1878, being the mother of 3 children, namely, Laura (deceased), wife of
Joel J. McCook, of Natchitoches (deceased); Silas D., the subject of this
sketch; and Amos L., a prominent attorney at Amite City, La.  He married
again in 1879, to Miss Alice Barbee, of Sabine parish, and to this union
were born 2 children, Willie A., and Alice, of Amite City.  The subject of
this biography, after availing himself of the educational advantages
afforded by his community, entered the University of the South, at Sewanee,
Tenn., pursuing his studies there for 2 years.  He then came to New
Orleans and enrolled in the law department of Tulane university,
graduating very creditably in the class of 1883.  He first began the
practice of his profession at Natchitoches, in partnership with Judge
Chas. V. Porter.  In 1886 Mr. Ponder removed to Denton, Tex., where he
established an excellent practice, remaining there for 15 years, having
filled the office of prosecuting attorney for 2 terms.  In 1901 he returned
to his native state, locating at Many, where he has since resided.
Mr. Ponder is a model citizen, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of
his community.  He has served as mayor of Many, and was also a member of
the constitutional convention in 1913.  He is a devout member of the 
Baptist church, and is affiliated fraternally with the Masons and the
Woodmen of the World.  In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Cora, a
daughter of Le Roy and M. M. (Hamilton) Templeman, of Shreveport.  Her
father, a native Virginian, was a prosperous planter near Shreveport.
Both he and his wife are now deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Ponder are the 
parents of 8 children, namely,  Lillian, who is teaching at Winnfield;
Malvina, at home; Arline, teaching in Madison; Silas D., Jr., (deceased);
Bessie, attending the state normal at Natchitoches; William H., at 
Louisiana state university; Joseph D., and  Eleanor,at home.

Source: Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
InstitutInstitutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3),
pp. 563-564.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914,
by Century Historical Association.