Rev. Richard Clayton Bond was born April 11, 1813, at Lost Creek, Virginia, now West Virginia, and died at Milton Junction, Wis., January 21, 1910, lacking less than three months of being 97 years of age. He was the son of Abel Bond, Jr., and Sarah Powers Bond. His grandfather was Major Richard Bond, a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Richard's father was born in Cecil County, Md., whence he went into the wilds of western Virginia, where Richard was born. The latter was baptized in his eighteenth year by Rev. Lewis A. Davis, and became a member of the Lost Creek Seventh Day Baptist church. April 10, 1835 he was licensed by the Lost Creek church to preach, in case he should feel it to be his duty to do so. In 1840 he was granted a license to preach wherever he might be called. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry on October 16, 1842 at Port Jefferson, OH., at a session of the Southwestern Association. Previous to his ordination he preached once a month for the Lost Creek church. He preached the introductory sermon at the fifth session of the Association, at Lost Creek in 1843, and was moderator the following year, when the Association met at Jackson Center, OH. At this session he was appointed delegate to the General Conference. At the seventh annual session held at New Salem in 1845 he preached the introductory sermon and was appointed agent for preaching on the Sabbath question.
During the year 1844 he represented the S. D. B. Missionary society upon the western Virginia field, visiting the Woodbridgetown, Penn., church, also. He had four regular preaching stations, which he visited once a month.
The last entry in the book of records of the Woodbridgetown church is dated August 1844, and records a visit from Richard C. Bond, at which time he baptized Richard C. Bond, Jr., who soon afterward removed to Rock County, Wis. In December of the same year he baptized fifteen persons who joined the New Salem church. This seems to have been the year of his greatest activity in the ministry, rich in results and a year to which he was pleased to refer often when reviewing his past life.
He was married to Eliza Grant, of Lost Creek, and in the spring of 1846 they came to Milton, Wis. He immediately took up a government claim in the new county, and in 1856 bought three eighties of Aunt Polly Goodrich. He possessed many qualities necessary for success in pioneer life, and his energy was soon rewarded with a farm clear of debt and an ample competence for his old age. A few years after the close of the Civil War he bought a home in Milton Junction where he has since resided, being loved by many and respected by all who knew him.
His wife died in 1896. To them were born four children, two boys and two girls, Arthur G., Luther L., Mary M., and Louise, the last named dying in infancy. There is but one surviving member of the family, Dr. Luther L. Bond of Denison, Iowa. A brother, Deacon Levi Bond of Lost Creek, W. Va., now past ninety years of age, still lives.
Elder Bond was a man of sterling qualities. His theory was of the old orthodox type. His life was genuine. With him, to believe a thing was to know why, and to be able to defend his position. He was not fond of argument for its own sake, but belief was so closely related to conduct that both were guarded with equal earnestness. His theology was not something separate, but a part of his life. His orthodoxy was the orthodoxy of a tight life, and there was nothing better.
He was a member of the Milton Junction Seventh-day Baptist Church and his interest in the church was constant and abiding. Although the burden of many years had weakened the body so that he was confined to his room for many months, his mind remained strong and active to the last. He was a loyal supported of the denomination, contributing to the work as he saw the needs. And because of his knowledge of the fields, he was able to give the work an intelligent support. He left a legacy of $100 each to the Missionary and Tract societies.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 24, at the Milton Junction Seventh-day Baptist church, conducted by his pastor, Rev. A. J. C. Bond, assisted by Rev. O. S. Mills and Rev. F. O. Burdick. Interment was made at Milton.
