James Pond (Medal of Honor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James B. Pond
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| Born | June 11, 1838 Cuba, Allegany County, New York |
| Died | June 21, 1903 (aged 65) Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War *Battle of Baxter Springs |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Relations | George F. Pond, brother |
James Burton Pond (born June 11, 1838 – died June 21, 1903) was an important person in American history. He fought in the American Civil War as an officer for the Union Army. He was also an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery.
Pond earned the Medal of Honor for his brave actions during the Battle of Baxter Springs. After the war, he became a very successful manager for famous speakers. Some of his clients included Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, and Henry Morton Stanley.
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Early Life and Beliefs
Pond was born on June 11, 1838, in Cuba, New York. His family later moved to Illinois in 1844 and then to Wisconsin in 1847. His official home was listed as Janesville, Wisconsin.
James Pond strongly believed that slavery should be ended. He became an abolitionist. He was part of the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. It is said that he even rode with the famous abolitionist John Brown for a short time in the mid-1850s.
Before the war, Pond studied printing. He published a newspaper called The Journal in Markesan, Wisconsin. He ran the paper from 1860 to 1861.
Service in the Civil War
In November 1861, James Pond joined the Union Army. He became a lieutenant in the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. He fought in the American Civil War.
One important battle he was in was the Battle of Baxter Springs. Here, he bravely fought against a group led by William Quantrill. Quantrill was a well-known Confederate guerrilla leader. For his courage in this battle, Pond received the Medal of Honor. This special award was given to him on March 30, 1898. By the time he left the army in September 1865, he had been promoted to the rank of major.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended, James Pond tried different businesses. He worked in the western United States for a while.
In Salt Lake City, he was asked to manage a speaking tour. This tour was for Ann Eliza Young. She was one of the many wives of Brigham Young, a leader of the LDS Church. Ann Eliza Young became unhappy with her husband and his church's practices. She later divorced him and spoke publicly about her experiences.
In 1874, Pond bought a company called the Lyceum Theatre Lecture Bureau. This started his career as a manager for speakers. In 1879, he moved his main office to New York City.
Managing Famous Speakers
Pond managed many famous people. He organized Mark Twain's tours in 1884–85 and 1895–96. Twain went on the later tour to earn money to pay off his large debts. Pond also helped Winston Churchill with his first American tour. Churchill later became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Another client was the explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley. Stanley earned a lot of money from a U.S. tour Pond set up in 1890–91. Other well-known people Pond worked with included P. T. Barnum, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Arthur Conan Doyle. Pond wrote a book in 1900 called Eccentricities of Genius. In it, he shared stories about his experiences with these famous clients.
Family and Later Years
James Pond's first wife, Ann Frances Lynch, passed away in 1871. He later married Martha Glass in 1880. She was from Jersey City.
James had three brothers who also fought for the Union in the Civil War. Their names were George, Homer, and Philip. His brother George F. Pond also received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the war.
James B. Pond passed away on June 21, 1903. He had an infection in his foot that became very serious. Even after surgery, his health worsened, and he died of heart failure. He was survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. After his death, his son, James B. Pond Jr., took over the family business.
In Film
James B. Pond was shown in the 1944 movie The Adventures of Mark Twain. The actor Donald Crisp played his role in the film.
See also
