Born: 1857, Ohio.
Died: April 1, 1937, Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Buried: Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
William was the son of Adam and Elizabeth P. Pontius, and husband of Abbie C. Beale of Mansfield, Ohio.
He was educated at Normal University, Ada, Ohio (MusD), and studied music with Frank Herbert Tubbs, and with Francisco Cortezi in Italy.
He is remembered as a conductor, composer, tenor, and teacher. At one time he was Director of the Minneapolis School of Music, Oratory and Dramatic Arts
He composed sacred and secular songs, anthems, duets, and quartets.
If you know where to get a good photo of Pontius (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),