Cecil Elwood Pond (June 4, 1924 – December 30, 2011) was an American businessman, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was the founder of Wheel Horse Products Co. Inc and was the primary inventor of the modern American riding mower.

Early life and family

Pond was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Ann Marie Pond. He graduated from South Bend's former Washington-Clay High School, and served in the

U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...

during World War II. In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. The Ponds had a son, Gary, and two daughters, Linda and Constance.

Beginnings in business

In 1946, Pond joined his father, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors (which the operator would walk behind) from angle iron, surplus motorcycle and automotive parts in his garage. At first, the Ponds' company was simply called Pond Tractor Company, but when they discovered another family member owned a similarly-named company, "Wheel Horse" was chosen, and the name stayed with the company until its demise as a separate operation of the Toro companies in the 1980s. In the late 1940s, veterans returning from World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape. Their homes had larger lots that demanded more attention and the Ponds' riding mower found many ready buyers as a result. In 1954, Pond introduced his first 4-wheel lawn tractor, an event which altered substantially the lawn care manufacturing business. By 1957, his Wheel Horse Products company recorded sales over $1 million (US$ in dollars) for the first time. Two years later, the company's sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million (US$ in dollars).

Sale to American Motors Corporation

In 1975, Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to American Motors Corporation. At the time, Pond had over 500 workers at his plant and over 3,000 dealers were selling the brand.

Branching out into other businesses

In the 1970s, Pond acquired Skystream Airlines, a small commuter airline in northern Indiana. Skystream, which was formed in September 1973, when it acquired routes once flown by Hub Airlines, Inc., served northern Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Also in the 1970s, Pond purchased Lakeside Winery, formerly Molly Pitcher Vineyards, located in Harbert, Michigan. The vineyard/winery was the oldest in Michigan. Retrieved on January 15, 2012. Pond served for a time as president of the Young Presidents Organization.

Bibliography

In 2000, Pond was the subject of the biography ''Straight From the Horse's Mouth'', by Michael Martino.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pond, Elmer 1924 births American businesspeople 2011 deaths American inventors United States Army personnel of World War II