He had limited school advantages, but inherited health and a love for reading, and early learned that it is possible to work without being unhappy. His first employment was on his father's farm, then carrying papers during part of the Civil War, and in the village store beginning in 1867. In 1869 he worked in a Caldwell sawmill, and from 1870 to 1873 in the meat business and on a railway being constructed in Verona. From 1873 to 1879 he was employed in a Newark store, and during this time invented a fastener for refrigerator doors which came into general use. From 1879 to 1890 he had a meat and produce market in Newark, manufactured hardware, and had extensive real estate interests in East Orange and Arlington. March 30, 1881, he married Ida Francis Rafter, born in Newark, N. J., Nov. 19, 1858, and they had four children, Jane, Everett, Jessie and Donald, and adopted another, Clarence Neary. In 1890 he removed with his family to Verona, and while there gave much time and thought to local public interests, giving an attractive park to the community and serving as a member of the Essex County Board of Freeholders. Removing to California in 1899, he became interested in the oil industry and later had charge of the Eastern business of one of the largest petroleum companies. He now resides in Essex Fells, N. J., and is connected with several business enterprises, steamship, oil and banking, and is serving as chairman of the executive committee of the National Anti-Saloon League, president of the American Issue Publishing Company, president of the Hospital for Women and Children of Newark, and president and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Verona Methodist Episcopal Church. He is intensely interested in the family history and has served as president of the Condit Family Association, the annual reunions of which have been held at his home on several occasions. His interest in the revision of the family record is largely responsible for that work. Early in life he developed some talent as a speaker and writer. A leaflet of his, "Silver Prophecies," and a pamphlet, "The Relation of Saloons to Insanity," attracted wide attention. A friend's opinion was expressed by Rev. J. A. Hensey, D. D., in the dedication of his book, "Poverty and Preaching": "To Fillmore Condit, whose genial smile, broad sympathies, Christian benevolence and constant friendship have been appreciated through the years, this little book is dedicated by the author."8