California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 HENRY FORD CONDICT. Occupying a noteworthy position among the pioneer residents of Kern county is Henry Ford Condict, who' was one of the very earlier settlers of Bakersfield, and is now actively identified with its manufacturing industries as proprietor of the C. O. D. Soda Works. Settling in Bakersfield before the incorporation of the town, when a dozen or so rude shacks were the only buildings in the locality, he has watched with gratification the many wondrous transformations that have since taken place within its borders, and as a worthy citizen, has contributed his full share toward the development and growing prosperity of his adopted town and county. A son of Sidney Condict, he was born July 5, 1837, in Newark, N. J., of English stock. His immigrant ancestor, John Condict, who, on the maternal side, was a descendant of Sir Isaac Newton, came to this country some time during the latter half of the seventeenth century, and according to the records purchased land in Newark, N. J., in 1678. Sidney Condict, grandfather of Henry Ford, was a prominent citizen of Morristown, N. J., being for many years president of a bank. His father, Nathaniel Condict, served as colonel of a regiment in the Revo- lutionary army, and died of smallpox during the war. A native of Morristown, N. J., Sidney Condict began his business career as a merchant in New- ark, N. J. Removing to Illinois in 1842, he took up land in McHenry county, and was there en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1854, at the age of fifty-six years. He married Charlotte Renolds, who was born in New Jersey, and died in Illinois, in 1876, aged sixty-three years. She was a woman of refinement and culture, and a member of the Congregational Church. Her father. Abraham Renolds, was an officer in the war of 1812. serving as captain of a company, and at one time assistant adjutant general on General Scott's staff. He was after- ward a resident of Paterson, N. J., for a few years, and was sheriff of Passaic county. Subse- quently removing with his family to McHenry county, Ill., he purchased a large tract of land, to the clearing and management of which he devoted much of his time. He also loaned money, and as a man of great financial ability and integrity acquired much wealth. He was of Eng- lish extraction, and was familiarly known as Judge Renolds. Brought up on the Illinois homestead, Henry Ford Condict attended the district schools until fifteen years old, when he was sent to the Waukegan Academy, where he continued his studies two years. In 1854 he entered the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., receiving his appointment thereto from State Senator Washburn, but at the end of three years had to leave the institution on account of failing eyesight, and from 1857 until 1859 remained at home. Com- ing by way of the Isthmus of Panama to California in 1859, Mr. Condict was engaged in min- ing in Siskiyou county for more than a year, being fairly successful in his venture. In the spring of 1861 he returned east by the same route that he came, going to New Hampshire, where he had left his wife. Very soon after his arrival he enlisted in Company A, First New Hampshire Light Artillery, as a private, and was elected lieutenant of his company. He was offered the position of captain, but refused the office, not feeling himself qualified for its responsibilities. After the battle of Chancellorsville he resigned, and subsequently went to his old home in Illinois, where he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. During his two enlistments, Mr. Con- dict participated in some of the more important conflicts of the war, including the second engage- ment at Bull Run, the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and in many lively skirmishes. Although several balls pierced his clothing, and at the battle of Freder- icksburg his horse was shot under him, he himself escaped without a wound, and served until the close of the war. His regiment, which was stationed near Washington when Lincoln was assassinated, was sent to Maryland in search of Booth. Mr. Condict was subsequently detailed as clerk to administer the oath of citizenship to all willing to express their loyalty. After partici- pating in the grand review at Washington, his regiment was discharged. Returning to McHenry county, Ill, Mr. Condict assumed the management of the old home farm, which he conducted for seven years. Desirous of again trying life in California, Mr. Condict arrived in Bakersfield, then a small hamlet, on October 23, 1872, coming from Tipton, a distance of eighty miles, by stage. At once renting the old stage hotel, which was a small shack, the first one built in the place, and which had been used as a tavern only about three months, he ran it for eighteen months, and then sold out. The following two years he had no regular em- ployment, but in 1876 had charge of the ferry across the Kern river, running it for the owner. In 1877 he entered the employ of the proprietor of a small soda works establishment, and, having obtained a good knowledge of the business, he bought out his employer the following year, and has since successfully conducted the works. In April, 1899, his business having so increased that more room and better facilities were needed, he erected his present plant, which he has equipped with all the latest improvements, rendering it in every respect an up-to-date manufactory. In 1878, Mr. Condict also embarked in the draying business, and from that time until August, 1903, when he sold out, he kept three teams busily employed. A man of great enterprise and capa- bility, he has by his own industry, thrift and wise management accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods. On the corner of H and Seventeenth streets he has a very pleasant home, which, with its environments, is most attractive to the passer-by. On January 4, 1859, Mr. Condict married Nancy J. Young, who was born in Maine, but was reared and educated in New Hampshire. She is of good old Pilgrim stock, her immigrant ancestor having come over on the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Condict have two children, namely : Bertha B., wife of C. L. Hollis, of Fresno, and Charlotte M., a graduate from St. Luke's Hospi- tal Training School for Nurses, at San Francisco, now at home. In national politics Mr. Condict is a Republican, but in local affairs votes for the best men and measures. He served as the first assessor of Bakersfield, and was elected supervisor, but was counted out, although he had fourteen votes to spare. He was one of the promoters, and the first superintendent, of the Bak- ersfield water works. In 1873 Mr. Condict joined both the Masons and the Odd Fellows, and is also a prominent member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, which he served as financier for twenty-three consecutive years, when in July, 1903, he declined a re-election to that office. He likewise belongs to Hulburt Post No. 127, G. A. R., of Bakersfield, of which he was the first commander.