BIO: James C. CONDO, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MFS Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ JAMES C. CONDO, a blacksmith and wagon and carriage dealer, of Penn Hall, Centre county, is a representative of one of the old families of Penn's Valley. He was born in Gregg township, Centre county, April 23, 1851, the second son and third child of Daniel and Sarah (Lutz) Condo. His grandfather, Daniel Condo, was a blacksmith by trade, but in the latter part of his life followed farming. He held membership in the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a stanch Whig. He died of typhoid fever in Penn Hall. His children were: Jacob, a blacksmith, of Illinois; Eunie, who died in Centre Hall; Daniel; Elias, who was killed in the army; John who died in California; Emanuel, who started to return from the gold fields, and was never heard from again; Joseph, who died in Penn Hall; Susan, wife of Philip Musser; Polly, deceased wife of Rev. Kreamer; Rebecca, wife of Daniel Swartz; Lydia, wife of George Musser, of Illinois; Sarah, widow of Christian Musser, of Ohio; and Mrs. Rosanna Bricker, of Boalsburg, Centre county. Daniel Condo, the father of our subject, was born in Gregg township, April 29, 1822, attended the common schools and learned the blacksmith's trade. He was married in September, 1843, to Rebecca Shreffrer, born November 17, 1820. They had two children: One died in infancy; and Jared F., born February 4, 1844, served in the Union army, and is now a blacksmith and COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 375 weaver of Spring Mills. The mother died April 20, 1846, and the father on March 4, 1847, married Sarah Lutz, who was born in Haines township, Centre county, March 22, 1826, a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Stover) Lutz. Mr. and Mrs. Condo became the parents of the following named children: Cyrus, of California, was born April 10, 1848; Harriet C., born January 2, 1850, is the wife of Amos Koch, of Ferguson township, Centre county; James C.; Susan M. born January 5, 1854, died in September, 1869; John P., born August 11, 1855, is ex-sheriff of Centre county; Lot, a blacksmith of Potters Mills, was born September 10, 1857; Jonas was born January 6, 1860; Daniel H., born July 18, 1862, died October 6, 1869; Sarah R., born January 26, 1867, died October 29, 1869; Mary L., born January 19, 1869, is now the wife of J. W. Rouch, of Penn township; and Adeline, born in September, 1871, died in January, 1872. The father of this family followed blacksmithing in Penn Hall and Spring Mills. In 1847 he located in George's Valley, and during the Civil war he served in the Union army nearly three years. He followed blacksmithing until the day before his death, which was occasioned by heart disease and occurred February 11, 1871. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a Whig and Republican. His wife has been a member of the Reformed Church since the age of eighteen years. For five years after her husband's death she lived in George's Valley, and has since made her home among her children. James C. Condo, whose name introduces this sketch, began his education under the direction of Frederick Jamison, and after completing his elementary studies in the district schools became a student in Penn Hall Academy. He remained at home until 1862, when his father and half-brother went to the army, and he started out in life for himself, although only eleven years of age. He worked as an errand and stable boy around a hotel in Penn Hall, and in the winter of 1863- 64 was employed by George Dale, near Lemont. While thus engaged a horse fell on the lad's left leg, breaking the bone in two places, and he was disabled for almost a year in consequence. When he had recovered he began learning the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, but before he had completed his apprenticeship his father died. He then went to Haines township, Centre county, and entered the employ of Squire Hosterman, who also died a few months later. Mr. Condo afterward went to Woodward, where he worked a few months for Mr. Miller, and then entered the employ of Daniel Geary, of Penn township. Subsequently he purchased his employer's shop, and for ten years engaged in blacksmithing there. He was very energetic, and the excellent quality of his work secured him a liberal patronage. When the old Condo homestead was for sale he purchased that property, thus providing a home for his mother and the younger children of the family. In March, 1879, he purchased the property of J. B. Fisher, of Penn Hall, and has since retained his residence and smithy there. In November, 1875, in Aaronsburg, Mr. Condo married Miss Jennie Wolf, of Penn township, daughter of William and Catharine (Kramer) Wolf, and a native of Miles township, Centre county. Five children bless their union: Carrie M., Clara L., Ella V., Charles F. and Sarah C., and the family circle yet remains unbroken. Mr. Condo votes with the Democratic party on State and National elections, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he pays no regard to party ties. He has served as clerk of his township several terms. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity of Centre Hall, and in religious faith he is identified with the Reformed Church. His life has been successful, and he may well be proud of his achievements, for his prosperity is the just reward of his own labors.