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MRS. MARGARET J. POND came to Springfield in 1881 at the instance of her uncle, the Rev. S. M. Wilson, a Presbyterian minister. Within two years of her coming here the Rev. Mr. Wilson, who then had charge of the Pleasant Plains Church closed an honorable and useful life while still in the midst of his career as a Christian minister, his death being regarded as a sad loss not only to his church but to the community at large.

Mrs. Pond is the daughter of William and Margaret (Elder) Ewing, who were residents for many years of Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, where her father was born and reared. The name of Ewing is potential in the political and business circles of that State and has many representatives of wide reputation. William Ewing was born April 4, 1809. As he grew to manhood he became largely engaged in stock-raising and for many years was known as a successful business man. He owned two fine farms and was well-to-do. After the death of his wife which occurred September 4, 1869, he broke up his home and traveled quite extensively, engaging a part of the time in the stock business in Kansas, and in 1881 joined his daughter, making his home with her in Springfield until the time of his death, December 10, 1889. He had then attained the advanced age of eighty years and the last years of his life were spent in retirement and quietness. Politically he was quite decided in his views. As a young man he affiliated with the Democracy and supported Polk for the Presidency. He afterwards regretted that set, became an ardent Whit, and subsequently a Republican. To him and his wife were born three sons and one daughter. The sons have attained to prominence. Thomas, who lives at Oakland, Cal., is President of the Land Improvement Company, at Seattle, Wash., also of a railroad in California, and is largely interested in mining stock. He has an office in San Francisco and in Seattle, Wash. William E. lives in New Mexico, where he is engaged in the stock business, being a member of the Waddingham Company. James P. is doing business in Northern Oregon, and Mrs. Pond, our subject, lives in retirement in Springfield.

Mrs. Pond was married to S. B. Pond, a dry-goods merchant at Winchester, Ohio. Her husband died six months after marriage and was buried at Columbus, Ohio. The Ponds are a prominent and influential family well-known in both political and business circles. One daughter was born of the marriage of our subject, Jessie Statira Ewing, who became the wife of H. C. Joy. The latter is a son of Prof. Charles A. Joy, who was for many years a Professor in Columbia College, N.Y., and is now living abroad for the benefit of his health. Mr. and Mrs. Joy lived in Denver, Col., where Mr. Joy is President of the Union Smelting Works and he also has interests in similar works at Pueblo, Col. They were married at Springfield, October 27, 1886. Mrs. Joy departed this life at her home in Colorado, October 16, 1890, and was brought to her home in Springfield, and buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Mrs. Pond resides in one of the many attractive homes of Springfield in the enjoyment of surrounding comforts. She is a bright, intelligent woman, well-informed and companionable, and has gathered around her many friends from the best people of the city. She is known for her generosity and benevolence and is an earnest and faithful worker in the church.