He worked on his father's farm until 21 years of age; graduated from Jefferson College in 1858, and from Western Theological Seminary in 1861; was licensed to preach by Erie Presbytery in 1860, and ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church by the same Presbytery in 1861. Mr. Condit preached at Sandy Lake, Waterloo and Mt. Pleasant, Pa.; Bethel, Salina and Libertyville, Iowa; Viola and Camp Creek, Ill. In 1879 he located at Fairfield, Iowa, to educate his children, all of whom graduated from Parsons College. For some years he supplied churches at Mt. Zion, Iowa; Cawker City, Kan., and Canon City, Colo. Exposure in home missionary work brought on asthma and necessitated more than twenty years of retirement from the active ministry. These years were spent in the home in Fairfield. During the last years of his life he was closely identified with the work of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield. He taught in the Sabbath School, his voice was heard in the prayer meeting, and he brought many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through private conversation and personal work. His sweet Christian spirit led him to become among his brethren "The Beloved." His life story was summed up in the text of his pastor's beautiful tribute, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."39
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Rev John Gordon Condit – from Fairfield Iowa paper
Aged Minister Has Passed Away.
Rev John Gordon Condit died at his house in the city Sunday morning after many years of ill health. His body was interred yesterday afternoon with services at the Family Residence on North Court Street. The exercises were conducted by Rev W W Montgomery, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, assisted by President Willie E Parson and Rev Orr Lawson
Rev Condit was born in Mercer count PA August 19th 1829 and lived on a farm until he had reached manhood. He then became a student in Polan academy, Ohio and later was enrolled in Jefferson College, Canonsburg PA, from which institution he graduated in 1858. He then completed his theological course at Western seminary, Allegheny PA in 1861,and immediately entered upon active life in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. From 1861 to 1864 he was pastor at Sandy Lake Mt Pleasant and Waterloo PA, from 1864 to 1867 Bethel Washington county, from 1867 to 181870 Salina, from 1870 to 1878 Viola Ill, 1878 to 1879, Camp Creek McDonough count Ill. He came to this city in 1879 and during the years he resided here served churches of Mt Elon Iowa Cawker Kansas and Canon City Co Failing health finally compelled him to retire from the ministry. In 1862, Mr. Condit was unified in marriage with Martha J McCurdy, who scurvies him. They were the parents of 6 children. One son, William Howard died in infancy, but all the others survive the father, Rev James Hayes Condit is pastor of the Presbyterian church at Fairbanks Alaska, Prof Ira Condit is now a member of the faculty of the Iowa State Teachers college, Cedar Falls, Dr John Condit resides at Hsidenbure Cal, one daughter M Pearl is the wife of Rev JE Shoemaker a missionary in China, another daughter Alice is the wife of Rev Walter Crosier pastor of Presbyterian church at Durango Col. Only 2 of the children were able to be present at the funeral – Ira and Mrs. Shoemaker
Mr. Condit was a many of many excellences. In the various communities in which he passed his life, he was held in the highest esteem, both as a minister and as a citizen. Wherever duty bid him he sent and he discharge every obligation that this life imposed upon him with the highest fidelity. He had many friends in this city who will deeply regret his death and extend their sincerest sympathy to the stricken family.3191