James F Condon

CONDON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/13/2010 at 17:15:16

James F Condon is an enterprising and progressive citizen of the village of Ridgeport, where since 1902 he has engaged in general merchandising. He has also held the office of postmaster there and at different times has filled other positions, in which he has proven his loyalty as a citizen and his devotion to the pubic welfare. He was born January 22, 1854, in Clark county, Illinois, his parents being Henry and Eliza (Dixon) Condon. The father a native of Ohio, was born January 25, 1822, and his life record covered seventy-one years, his death occurring in Boone county in 1893. His wife, who was born July 14, 1825, passed away in Boone county September 7, 1893. In their family were eleven children, of whom six sons are still living, all of whom are residents of Boone county with the exception of one who makes his home in Ottumwa, Iowa.
James F Condon spent his youthful days upon the home farm, with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm lad. He was quite young when the parents came with their family to Boone county, so that he was here reared, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. After attaining his majority he took up the occupation to which he had been reared and which he followed continuously until 1902. He then turned his attention to general merchandising at Ridgeport, where he has a good business. He carries a well selected line of goods, and his reliable methods and earnest desire to please his patrons have been the chief features in his growing success.
Mr Condon has been married twice. He first wedded Christina Anderson who was born in Sweden in 1860 and died in Boone county April 1908. She was a daughter of Martin and Bretta Anderson. The father died in Sweden and the mother afterward brought her daughter Christina to the new world and passed away in September 1913. Unto Mr and Mrs Condon were born seven children. Martin born in 1880, was married in 1907 to Daisy York, by whom he has two children, Harry and Glidie. He is engaged in farming in Kossuth county. Zora, the second of the family was born in 1883, Katherine born in 1885, became the wife of Lewis Anderson, a miner of Des Moines, Iowa in 1910, and they have one daughter Annabel. The fourth member of ht family Annabel, was born in 1890 and became the wife of Archibald Jennings. Lloyd, born in 1893, Izivine born in 1897, and Cuma born in 1902 are all at home. Mr Condon was married a second time in November 1909, when Mrs W L Kelly, nee Frances Redpath became his wife.
Mr Condon has always been interested in the political questions and issues of the day, giving his support to the democratic party where matters of national importance are involved but casing an independent local ballot. He held the office of postmaster at Ridgeport, has been township clerk and justice of the peace and for twelve years was school treasurer. He has made an excellent record in public office, being always loyal to the trust reposed in him. His has been an honorable, active and well spent life, and he has an extensive circle of friends in Ridgeport and throughout Boone county, where he has now long made his home and where he is widely and favorably known.

1914 Boone County History Book