CULLMAN – Mr. George Washington (G.W.) Ponder was one of Cullman’s most prominent citizens in the early 1900s. In fact, his name still marks a building downtown, a marking left to pay homage to one of the city’s most successful businessmen.
Ponder was born in the western part of Cullman County near Logan on Feb. 20, 1880. He was the son of pioneer settlers, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Ponder and, as one of a large family of children, started making his own way in the world at an early age. His parents, natives of Georgia, moved to Cullman County when the western part of the county was still primarily wilderness.
Schools were few and the terms were short, causing the opportunities for education to be very limited. He received his education at Logan and other county schools and later took a business course at a Birmingham college.
G.W. married Miss Pearl Sims of the Logan community when he was a young man. The happy couple had four children, A.A. (Pete), E.E., Melda and G.W. Jr.
When he was a young man, it was apparent G.W. had an unusual knack for business. His practical application of business methods, as well as his appreciation of the art of business, was significantly reflected in his success. He had an innate ability to grasp opportunities and possessed powers of keen observation which were assets that aided him in his climb up the ladder in the business world.
Leaving his father’s farm at the age of 21, he began his business career in Birmingham as an employee in a railway shop. He returned to Cullman two years later and took a job as a clerk with G.W. Johnson, a merchant in the city. In 1909, he and W.O. Kelley started a business venture of their own selling goods. The store was called Ponder and Kelley Mercantile.
They set up shop in an old wooden structure and specialized in farm supplies. It was amazingly successful. New lines were added, and they quickly outgrew their first location. Their place of operation became one of the largest mercantile stores in the county.
A very busy man, Ponder was on duty twelve hours each day, but also found time to take part in civic and church activities. He had a wide circle of friends across the state of Alabama and was also very popular in state mercantile circles. Ponder spent his spare time working as a booster and promoting the Alabama Merchants Association, with which he had long been associated.
Ponder was considered to be an all-around good citizen and one of the state’s most outstanding businessmen.
Historical photos courtesy of "Cullman Centennial Booklet 1873 – 1973."
