An 1857 graduate of Dartmouth College, he taught school in several western states, studied law in Milwaukee, and was admitted to the bar in 1861.

[2] After college, Pollard taught school in Kentucky, Iowa, and Wisconsin, then studied law at the Milwaukee firm of Walter S. Carter and William G.

[2] He attained admitted to the bar in 1861, but deferred the start of a law practice so he could join the Union Army for the American Civil War.

[2] The regiment served in initially in the Department of the Gulf, and later in the Civil War Defenses of Washington, and the Virginia Valley campaigns of 1864.

[1] After leaving the army, Pollard completed his legal training with a six-month term at Albany Law School.

[2] Pollard moved to St. Louis in 1879, and he continued to practice law, first in partnership with Seneca N. Taylor, and later as a solo practitioner.