Who Was Thomas Condon?
Thomas Condon (1822-1907) was a pioneer geologist, teacher, author, and clergyman who came to Oregon around Cape Horn as a missionary in 1853. He established a Congregational church at the Dalles in 1862 which embraced all Christian faiths. Condon was the first scientific investigator of the fossils in the John Day region, beginning with a visit to the area in1865 and followed by many more. In 1872, he became Oregon's first state geologist while teaching geology at Pacific University. When the University of Oregon was founded in 1876, Condon was appointed its first professor of geology and continued as professor, and chair of Natural Sciences until 1907. Condon's book, "The Two Islands" was the foundation for the study of Oregon's historical geology.Thomas Condon was originally born in Cork County, Ireland where he lived until his family immigrated to New York. There, he had attended the Theological Seminary at Auburn. Inspired by the Whitman expedition, Condon decided to become a frontier missionary. In 1852, he and his wife Cornelia came to the West Coast in a clipper ship, and settled in the Willamette Valley. By 1871, the Condons had eight children, and were living in the town of Forest Grove.
According to historic letters, one of Thomas Condon's sons also later collected fossils near Sheep Rock, and sent correspondence of his findings back to his father.
Most of Thomas Condon's fossil collections can be found at the University of Oregon and Pacific University in Forest Grove, near Portland. By Congressional legislation, the primary visitor center of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument will be named in honor of Thomas Condon.