THOMAS E. CONDON, grain merchant, was born in Carroll County, Md., in 1835, son of Thomas and Elvira (
BARNES)
CONDON, both natives of Maryland, who died when the subject of this sketch was but six years old. The latter was reared on the home farm, where he remained until the death of his parents. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Maryland, and in 1853 removed to Indiana and entered the Asbury University at Greencastle, in that State, where he studied for six months. Later he taught school in winter and worked on a farm during the summer months. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry and served until the close of the war. Coming to Illinois in 1865, he located at Sidney, Champaign County, where he was engaged in farming for two years, later buying a farm of eighty acres in Crittenden Township. Here he resided until 1886 and then moved to Champaign, remaining there two years, when, in 1888, he removed to Pesotum, and there engaged in the lumber and implement business, which he carried on for five years. He then sold out and in 1894 entered into the grain business under the firm name of Condon & Black. His partner, Mr. Black, having sold his interest to Mr. Kleiss in 1900, the firm became Condon & Kleiss. In 1905 Kleiss sold his interest to E. T. Malaney, and since March 1
st the firm has been Condon & Malaney. They conduct a general grain and coal business.
In politics Mr. Condon is a Republican and held the office of Township Collector in 1902, and that of Town Clerk for one year. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in his religious views is affiliated with the United Brethren Church. In 1857 Mr. condon was united in marriage to Sarah M. DICKERSON, a native of Vigo County, Ind., who died in 1887 leaving two daughters. In 1889, Mr. Condon was married to Berdellah COFFRIN, who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, where she was educated. Of the first marriage four children were born, two of whom are deceased—those surviving being: Agnes MONERIEFF and Edna BIRDSELL. There has been no issue of the second marriage.
