John F. Consigny

CONSIGNY, GOODRICH, HEFLIN, RUSK

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 3/24/2009 at 16:04:56

JOHN F. CONSIGNY, one of Audubon's successful grocerymen, came to the town in its infancy and established himself in business, in which he has been actively engaged ever since. He is a native of Canada, and was born April 2, 1848, in St. Cesaire, Province of Quebec, remaining there until nearly grown; here he received a good common school education, and later was sent to the Brothers' College. His father was Dr. A. P. Consigny, a highly esteemed citizen and a successful physician, who for many years conducted a large and lucrative practice. Previous to the division of Canada into counties, Dr. Consigny was, until his death, inspector of schools and colleges in Lower Canada. His death occurred in April, 1857. His wife, who was Miss Lucy L. Goodrich, a daughter of Captain Ezekiel Goodrich, still survives him, and resides in Avoca, Iowa; her father was a Captain in the Revolutionary war. John F. Consigny, on reaching his sixteenth year, went to the State of Vermont, and accepted a clerkship in a store containing a general stock of merchandise; he served in this capacity until 1863, when he enlisted in the First Vermont Cavalry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. While his company (M) was doing duty as mounted provost and body guard at Second Corps headquarters near Hatcher's Run, Virginia, in October, 1864, he was wounded in the foot, and also received a wound on the side of the head on April 2, 1865, from the effects of which he has lost the hearing of one ear. He served his country faithfully for two years, and was discharged at Burlington, Vermont, in June, 1865. He then resumed the occupation of clerkship and bookkeeper. In February, 1866, he came to Dubuque, Iowa, and afterward made an extended tour of several States, going as far south as Texas; he drifted back to Avoca, Iowa, and remained there for a period of two years, and thence came to Audubon and embarked in the grocery business, as before stated. From his long experience, and honest and fair dealing he is widely and favorably known to the trading public. Besides his grocery stock Mr. Consigny carries a full line of queen's ware and glassware, etc. Mr. Consigny was united in marriage in February, 1879, to Miss Alice Heflin, of Avoca, Iowa; she is a daughter of Marshall and Nancy (Rusk) Heflin, who are now residents of Avoca; she was born in Knox County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Consigny have had born to them four children Clarence P., Mabel A., J. Edward and James G. Mr. Consigny is a member of the city council, having served over three years. He is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M.; of the I. 0. R. M.; of the Knights of Pythias, No. 163; Uniform Rank of the Aretas Lodge, No. 396; Encampment of I. 0. 0. F ., and of Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R., having been five times delegate to the State Encampment and delegate to the National Encampment at Portland, Maine, and San Francisco, California. Mr. Consigny is of French extraction on his father's side, and of English and Welsh on the mother's side.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 697-698