James Ponder, a lifelong resident of this community, was born on October 31, 1819, the son of John and Hester Milby Ponder. After receiving his education in the academies of Milton, Lewes, and Georgetown, he joined his father in business, where the firm engaged in general merchandising, shipping grain and lumber, and constructing, purchasing, and selling ships. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1856, to the State Senate in 1864, and served as Speaker in 1867. In 1870 he was the Democrat Party's successful candidate for Governor. After completing his term in 1875, he continued his business pursuits, bringing one of the first canneries to the area in 1881 and playing a key role in the construction of the Queen Anne's Railroad. He was also President of the Kent County Mutual Insurance Company, Director of the Farmer's Bank of Delaware, warden of St. John the Baptist Protestant Episcopal Church, and an active member of the Masonic order. He died on November 5, 1897, and was buried in Milton's Goshen Cemetery.