Legislator Details
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-Grave.com, 12/6/2025
Number of sessions served 7
Gender: Male
Age at election: 56
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 12/27/1860
City: Fort Covington, NY
County: Franklin County, NY
Country: US
Death
Date: 7/16/1933
City: Albion, MI
County: Calhoun County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date: 7/19/1933
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Grand Lawn Cemetery
Marital Information:
married to L. W. [Nellie] Mears, dau. of Hamlet B. and Louise (Jackson) Mears, 9/3/1884, in Fort Covington, NY [she passed away in 11/18/1919]; children: 2, Earl [died in infancy] and Dallas Mears; married Gertrude L. Roper, dau. of George and Emma (Krinerick) Roper, 3/29/1923, in Detroit, MI
Number of Children: 1
Background
Religion: Presbyterian
Military Service:
Occupation: teacher; dry goods merchant, lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
graduated from the Detroit College of Law, 1900
Biographical Sketch:
Son of John and Margaret (Cavanaugh) Condon, the eldest of seven children. Raised on a large farm; taught school for 5 years. He engaged in business in Bombay, NY and Atlanta, GA. When he first moved to Detroit, he worked for the Standard Oil Co. Served as a elder in the Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Detroit. He worked in dry goods and clothing and kept books for Moran Fitzsimmons & Company. He was senior member of the law firm of Condon, Nellis & Condon. His son, Dallas M., was also a member of this firm. He was a member of the crime commission under Gov. Green. In 1900 he served as organizer and director of the Condon Literary Club which trained over 500 young men to be debaters and public speakers.
Notable Facts:
Fought capital punishment and opposed the recall statute. Known as the "father of the Michigan firearm bill." Called for flogging for wife beaters.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Judiciary , Executive Business , Apportionment , Insurance , State Homes and Schools, Prohibition
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: 8th, 10th, 12th, and the 14th Wards of Detroit, south of the Detroit Terminal Railroad, adjacent to the Ford Highway in Wayne County
Reason for Leaving Office: Unknown
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Chair of Judiciary.
Committees Served On: Insurance , Judiciary , Normal Schools, Printing and Expense, Prohibition, Rules
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th wards of Detroit, south of the Detroit Terminal Railroad, adjacent to the Ford highway in Wayne County
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary
Committees Served On: Education , Executive Business , Industrial Schools, Judiciary , Taxation
Postions Held: President Pro Tempore
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th wards of Detroit, south of the Detroit Terminal Railroad, adjacent to the Ford highway in Wayne County
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Judiciary
Committees Served On: Education , Executive Business , Insurance , Judiciary , University
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th wards of Detroit.
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Judiciary
Committees Served On: College of Mines , Education , Executive Business , Judiciary
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: Townships: Ecorce, Monguagon, and Springwells; Wyandotte city
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary
Committees Served On: Education , Elections , Judiciary , Rules
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: Township of Encore, Mongaugon, Springwells, Wyandotte City.
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair on the Committee on Rules
Committees Served On: Elections , Judiciary , Education and Public Schools , Printing , Industrial School for Boys , Central Michigan Normal School , Military Affairs
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Bibliography:
PolGryd; USCen 1880, 1900, 1910, 1930; Michiganology; Manual 1917 p. 777; Manual 1919 p.800; SJ 1933 p.1625, SCR60; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portraits and obit.; MIMarRec 1867-1952; NYStateMarInd 1881-1967
