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Judson Eber Conant was a prolific writer, evangelist and pastor.

He was born on June 18, 1867, to a very poor couple, living in MIchigan.

His dad, Eber Maxwell Conant was born in Windham, Ohio on August 10, 1819, to a recently widowed woman. In 1850, Eber was married to Ann, and working as a shoemaker, and living in Medina, Michigan. They had three girls age 6 and under, and a baby boy.

His mother, Sarah A. Crittenden Conant was born in 1838, in Michigan.

His parents were married on October 17, 1865, in Calhoun, Michigan. His dad was 46 at the time, and his mother was 28.

In 1870, Eber was 49 and Sara was 32. Eber was still working as a shoemaker. Two children from Eber's first marriage were living with them: Angelina (22) who was employed as a dressmaker, and George (20), a student. Eber and Sarah had two boys: Judson, 3 and Charles, a baby. The family was living in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Eber, his father, died on January 30, 1873, when Judson was only 6 years old. His parents had been married for just over 7 years. Judson had a brother, Charles, who was around 3 years old.

In 1879, Judson was saved when eleven years old.

In 1880 Sarah had remained a widow and worked as a dressmaker. The mother, and two boys, 12 and 10 years old, were living in Albion, Michigan.

It has been a powerful statement to note that from Judson’s own sermon notes and files, there is nothing about himself or his family. He never referred to them, and only on a couple occasions does he mention himself in a general way. The focus was on Christ when he spoke, and any talk about himself would only direct the attention of the listener away from that purpose.

His works on Evangelism and Salvation are still distributed, published and referred to by many authors.

His clear insight into issues that impact the Christian walk, and his ability to clearly reason with an audience, make his presentations very insightful. His solid stand on the high standards of the Christian life, make his work invaluable.

We have been collecting clues from his sermon notes and other sources to put together a sketch of his life. Here are some of the facts:

• 1887. Worked as a bookkeeper and cashier for the Evening Courier of Jackson, Michigan for two years.
• 1889. Went to Colgate of Hamilton, New York
• 1892. First pastorate in Springport, Michigan, where membership went from 20 to 60 in one year.
• August 3, 1893. Justin married Etta J. Iler, daughter of Henry J. Iler, of Canada, on in Clayton, Michigan. Etta Jean Iler had been born September 19, 1865 in Canada, and in 1870 had come to the United States.
• 1894? Second pastorate in West Superior, Wisconsin, where the membership went from twelve to seventy-six
• 1896-1899. Pastor of Rogers Park Baptist Church, Chicago.
• 1897. Published sermon in the Christian Herald found in “Ancient Landmarks”
• September 1897, daughter Ruth is born in Illinois.
• January 1899, daughter Sarah Louise is born in Illinois.
• June, 1900, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dubuque, Iowa. Family lived in a rental house at 72 W. Fourteenth Street. Judson was 32, and Etta was 33. They had been married for 7 years. Etta had given birth to 3 children, but only 2 were living. Ruth was 2 and Sarah L. was 1. Etta's sisters: Grace M. Iler (26) and Evelyn M. Iler (20) were living with them.
• 1901-1902. Pastor at First Baptist Church of Dubuque, Iowa
• January, 1904, Pastorate begins in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• June, 1905. MInister living at 3320 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Justin was 37, Etta 39, Ruth 7, and Sarah Louise 6. Evelyn M. Iler, 23, (wife's family) also was living there and employed as a clerk.
• April, 1910. Pastor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, living at 6331 Pace Street. Justin was 44 years old and Etta was 45. They had been married for 16 years. Ruth was 12 and Louise was 11.
• February 1, 1914. Preached at Trinity Baptist Church, Camden, New Jersey. “Does Prayer Influence God?”
• 1920? Field Representative for Moody Bible Institute.
• April, 1930. Justin is an evangelist for the Baptist Church. The family was living in an apartment and paying rent of $75 a month at 6021 Kimbark Ave., Chicago, Illinois. Justin was 63 and his wife was 64. The girls were living with them; Ruth was single and 33, and Sarah L. was a hospital nurse, divorced and 32.
• 1935. Supply Minister of First Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon. Form letter found in “How we bring judgment on ourselves”
• June 8, 1940. 3821 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, Missouri. Letter written from Pastor R. Fuller Jaudon of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in the same town regarding an acquaintance. Found in “How we bring Judgment on Ourselves”
• February 28, 1945. Los Angeles, California. The following brief sketch was on a follow-up postcard from Appelman Campaign conducted by “Christ for Greater Los Angeles” addressed to the “Pastor.” The date is February 28, 1945. This may suggest Conant was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church at the time, or on staff there. Found in the file called “The Resurrection Victory.”
• May 13, 1955. Justin died in Los Angeles, just a month shy of becoming 88 years old.
• May 27, 1959. Justin's wife, Etta, died in Los Angeles, at the age of 93 years.