Background
Pond was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Ann Marie Pond.
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 United States. Army during World World War World War II
In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. 1946 saw the beginnings of Pond"s manufacturing future. Pond joined his father Elmer, 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.
However, they discovered another family member owned a similarly-named company. "Wheel Horse" was then 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 forties, military veterans returning from World World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape. Their suburban 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 (United States$8,425,355 in 2016 dollars)for the first time. Just two years later, the company"s sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million (United States$36,529,110 in 2016 dollars). Sale to American Motors Corporation
In 1975, Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to American Motors Corporation.
At the time of the sale, Pond oversaw over 500 workers at his plant and over 3,000 dealers were selling the brand.
In the seventies, 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, Incorporated., served northern Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
Also in the seventies, Pond purchased Lakeside Winery, formerly Molly Pitcher Vineyards, located in Harbert, Michigan. The vineyard/winery was the oldest in Michigan.
Pond served for a time as president of the Young Presidents Organization.