Harwood D. Ponton

b. 28 February 1883, d. 23 April 1961

Harwood D "Doc" Ponton, 1883-1961
  • Harwood D. Ponton was born on 28 February 1883 in Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas.
  • He was known as Doc.
  • Winifred Pauline Koonce appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Lavaca County, Texas. Other members of the household included Harwood D. Ponton, Alexander Hugo Ponton, Thomas Joel Ponton, Louella May Ponton, Boyce Ponton, Elsie Isabelle Ponton and John Ponton. John is identified as a lodger, working on the farm.
  • He was attending school and working on the farm, according to the 1900 census.
  • He married Evelyn Lee Campbell, daughter of Douglas McQueen Campbell and Ella Abercrombie Wood, circa 1910.
  • He appeared in the 1917 Houston at Texas city directory at 302 Bremond Avenue. He was chief clerk of the SP lines fuel and timber department.
  • Harwood D. Ponton registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, while living at 825 Cleveland in Lake Charles, and employed there by Powell Lumber Company.
  • Harwood D. Ponton and Evelyn Lee Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Other members of the household included Ella Wood Ponton, Harwood Douglas Ponton, Douglas McQueen Campbell and Ella Abercrombie Wood.
  • Harwood D. Ponton and Evelyn Lee Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, at 917 South Division Street. Other members of the household included Ella Wood Ponton and Harwood Douglas Ponton.
  • He was a lumber salesman, according to the 1930 census.
  • A photograph was made in 1938 of "Doc" Ponton with daughter Ella and wife Evelyn.
  • Harwood D. Ponton and Evelyn Lee Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, at 917 South Division Street. Other members of the household included Ella Wood Ponton and Harwood Douglas Ponton. It is noted that son Harwood was absent from the household.
  • He was employed by a lumber company as assistant sales manager, according to the 1940 census.
  • During the early 1950s, Doc and Ev Ponton were visited in Louisiana by Mrs. Robert Goree, Minnie Wood, Anna Goree, and Eloise Powell.
  • Harwood D. Ponton became a widower at the 29 January 1960 death of his wife Evelyn Lee Campbell.
  • The following appeared on 29 January 1960 in the Lake Charles American Press: Mrs. Evelyn Ponton of 917 South Division street, wife of Harwood D. Ponton, died at 7:35 a.m. today at the Lake Charles Memorial hospital. She had lived in Lake Charles for the past 41 years.
         The body is at the Hixson funeral home, where Christian Science services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with Leader Frank Ferrar officiating.
         She was a member of the First Church of Christian Scientists here and the Mother Church of Boston, Mass. She was active for many years in local civic and welfare work and served in many organizations.
         Survivors are her husband; one daughter, Ella Wood Ponton of Lake Charles; one son, Harwood D. Ponton Jr., of Baton Rouge, and one granddaughter.
  • Harwood D. Ponton died on 23 April 1961 at age 78 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, at his residence.
  • He was interred at Brookside Memorial Park, Houston, Harris County, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 24 April 1961 in the Lake Charles American Press: H. D. Ponton, 78, a resident of Lake Charles for the past 45 years, apparently died in his sleep last night. The body was discovered this morning.
         Funeral services will be Tuesday at the Hixson funeral home. Reader Frank Ferrier will be in charge of Christian Science Services. Time of Services will be announced by the funeral home.
         A native of Hallettsville, Tex., he had been employed by the Powell Lumber company of Lake Charles for the past 45 years and was assistant sales manager and purchasing agent. He was formerly purchasing agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston, Tex.
         He was active in Salvation Army activities.
         He is survived by one son, Harwood D. Ponton of Baton Rouge; one daughter, Miss Ella Wood Ponton of Lake Charles and one granddaughter.
  • The following appeared on 25 April 1961 in the Lake Charles American Press: Funeral services for H. D. Ponton, 78, of Lake Charles, were set at 2 p.m. today at the Hixson funeral home chapel with Reader Frank Ferrier officiating. Burial was to be in Brookside Memorial Park Urn Garden in Houston, Tex.
         Mr. Ponton was found dead at his home Monday morning.
  • Last Edited: 17 Dec 2014

Family: Evelyn Lee Campbell b. 24 June 1884, d. 29 January 1960