Happy Birthday Cecil

[953 nut 59,092]

Today would have been Cecil Pond’s 101st birthday.

If your family and friends are dismayed over your love for these little red tractors you can blame it on Cecil Pond for bringing us the well built beauties.. He was the co-founder of Wheel Horse Products Co. Inc. along with his father, Elmer, and was the primary inventor of the modern American Garden Tractor and riding mower.

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 during World War II. In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. Mr. & Ms. Pond were the parents of three children: son Gary Pond, and two daughters, Linda, and Constance.

1946 saw the beginnings of Pond's manufacturing future. Pond joined his father Elmer, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors from angle iron, surplus automotive parts in his garage. At first, the Ponds' company was simply called Pond Tractor Company; however, since Elmer’s brother Harold owned a similarly-named company "Wheel Horse" was chosen, and the name stayed with the company even after its acquisition by Toro.

In the late forties, military veterans returning from 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 garden tractors found many ready buyers as a result.

In 1954, Pond introduced his first four-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 $11,158,291.81 in 2024 dollars.) for the first time. Just two years later, the company's sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million.

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.

Cecil Pond passed away December 30, 2011.

Edited June 4 by 953 nut

[Pullstart 65,599]

If you’re reading this Mr. Cecil, thank you for all the things you’ve done for us!  
 

I often chuckle, that none of my Horse are out of necessity.  I could get by with just my zero turn, and maybe a front end loader some day.  But what kind of life would that be, without Wheel Horses?

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,740]

So glad to have met the man at the WH Show. 
 Much respect! 

[rmaynard 16,154]

Never met the man, but I am amazed at the addictions his products have caused... and I thank him. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,740]

48 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

Never met the man, but I am amazed at the addictions his products have caused... and I thank him. 

  Were you not at the WH show when he came Bob? 

[rmaynard 16,154]

53 minutes ago, Sparky said:

  Were you not at the WH show when he came Bob? 

I don't think so. What year was it? 

[Brockport Bill 1,888]

The legacy of those post ww2 veterans as inventors and as entrepreneurs is incredible...Pond is great example of that American enterprise spirit that helped build the America we all enjoy. 

[c-series don 9,727]

I was very happy and honored to have met and have a conversation with him, twice! He signed my C-121, C-161, 420-LSE and Wheel Horse books. I have to say that as a Wheel Horse collector, this truly meant a lot to me. As a matter of fact, it still does. 

[kpinnc 14,196]

18 hours ago, Sparky said:

So glad to have met the man at the WH Show. 
 Much respect! 

 

Agreed 100%!!! 

[rmaynard 16,154]

8 hours ago, c-series don said:

I was very happy and honored to have met and have a conversation with him, twice! He signed my C-121, C-161, 420-LSE and Wheel Horse books. I have to say that as a Wheel Horse collector, this truly meant a lot to me. As a matter of fact, it still does. 

 

What year was that Don?

[Handy Don 13,612]

I’ve said many times that I’d love to spend a day with the folks who collaborated on the design and manufacturing decisions for these tractors, from the Ponds right on down. 

[c-series don 9,727]

14 hours ago, rmaynard said:

 

What year was that Don?

Cecil was there twice, first in 2004 and then in 2008. We took the WHCC picture in front of the South Mountain Fairgrounds sign with my freshly restored C-121 in front of all of us, Cecil and Betty included. I’d love to have a copy of that picture, but can’t seem to find one. My avatar ↖️ thing (I think that’s what you call it!) up in the corner was taken right after the group photo 2004.