Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1900.434.207 |
Collection |
Condon, Glenn |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Date |
circa 1930 |
Description |
Sepia-toned photograph measuring 7" x 9" and depicting Canadian-American film actress Mary Pickford (1892 – 1979). An inscription in white ink in the lower right corner states, "To Glenn Condon, with all good wishes, sincerely Mary Pickford." Homer Glenn Condon was born October 13, 1891 in Greenfield, Iowa, the third son of George Washington Condon and Mary E. (Benson) Condon. In 1892, the family moved from Iowa to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory. George Condon worked as a building contractor, but became an invalid shortly after his third son was born. Thus, the Condon family lived on the merger income earned by the three Condon sons. Glenn Condon earned money working as a messenger boy for Western Union and as a newspaper delivery boy. In 1907, Glenn Condon and his mother moved to Tulsa, where his older brother, Henry Shadrach Condon, worked for the Wright Clothing Company. Glenn Condon began his career as a printer's devil for the Tulsa Democrat newspaper. Eventually, he became a reporter for the Democrat. The newspaper fired him two years later for embellishing news reports. The Tulsa Post, a rival newspaper, hired Condon. In 1911, Condon began work at the Tulsa World newspaper. He worked there as a reporter, sports editor, city editor, and managing editor. On June 15, 1913, Condon married Eula Youngblood in Tulsa. Condon had known Youngblood in Oklahoma City, where they lived across the street from each other and attended the same grade school. In 1913, Youngblood performed at Tulsa's Wonderland Theater as part of the women's musical group Cora Youngblood Corson's Sextette. Soon afterward, Condon and Youngblood were married. A daughter, Coranna Mary Jane Condon, was born to the couple in 1916, but the child died on August 30, 1917. While Condon worked at the Tulsa World newspaper, he reported upon the activities of the Oklahoma state legislature. In 1916, Condon ran for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives as a Republican. He won the election and was among the legislators that convened in the newly completed Oklahoma State Capitol. However, Condon did not complete his term due to his decision to join the military. In 1917, Glenn Condon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and toured the European front during World War I. He achieved the rank of sergeant and was discharged on April 14, 1919. He returned to Oklahoma and toured all seventy-seven Oklahoma counties promoting the sale of Liberty Bonds for the war effort. Following his return to Tulsa, Condon began managing the Majestic Theatre. His theater contacts soon landed a job for him in New York City as the editor of the Vaudeville News. From 1919 to 1926, he edited that publication. Condon hired Walter Winchell as a reporter, giving Winchell his first writing job. As editor of the Vaudeville News, Condon became friends with many prominent musicians and celebrities, including Will Rogers. Also during this time, Condon and his wife became parents to a daughter, Jerry Ann Condon, born May 5, 1924. Condon returned to Tulsa in 1926, and became manager of the Orpheum and Rialto Theatres. In 1927, Condon began work for the Skelly Oil Company and formed the company's public relations department, of which Condon served as director until 1933. One of Condon's tasks was implementing KVOO radio station, which William Grove "Bill" Skelly purchased and moved to Tulsa from Bristow, Oklahoma. Condon later continued in broadcasting and later managed KOME radio station. In 1942, Condon resigned from KOME to become news editor of KTUL radio station. He worked there until 1946, when he assisted Sam Avey to organize and implement radio station KAKC. In 1949, Condon began work for Tulsa station KRMG, owned by Oklahoma Senator Robert S. Kerr. During his broadcasting career, Condon served as president of the Oklahoma Associated Press and Broadcasters Association and the United Press International Broadcasters of Oklahoma. Condon was also active in numerous organizations in Tulsa. He was a member of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Tulsa Downtown Rotary Club, the Tulsa Akdar Shrine, and the First Press Club. Condon also served as master of ceremonies each year for the Gridiron Show, a spoof on Oklahoma politics. During his career, Condon met and interviewed numerous celebrities and politicians. These individuals included the following: Will Rogers, Susan Hayward, Patti Page, Jennifer Jones, Robert Walker, Jim Thorpe, Charles N. Haskell, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson. Eula Youngblood Condon died in Tulsa on March 7, 1965. She was buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park. Homer Glenn Condon died August 24, 1968 in Tulsa. He is also buried at Rose Hill Memorial Park. . |
Search Terms |
celebrities actors & actresses cinema |
People |
Pickford, Mary Condon, Homer Glenn |