USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 61
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he opened an office at St. Cesaire, Lower Canada, where he spent the greater part of his remaining days, attaining high rank as a leading physician in that locality. He was also an influential factor in politics and exerted con- siderable influence in support of the principles in which he believed, being a man of marked oratorical ability who was often heard on the campaign platform. Reared amid a brave and fearless race, who had been founders, pioneers and explorers from Montreal to Lake Michigan and New Orleans and who were born soldiers, trappers and hunters, the early influences thrown around him strengthened his character and prepared him to take a part in that struggle for liberty made by the Canadians and known as the Patriot war and which. although unsuccessful in its principal object, involved the best blood and vigor of the entire British Canadas and was ultimately the means of a great modification of the severe and tyrannical rule of England. In 1837, when the civil war was inaugurated in Canada, Dr. Consigny was one of the first to respond to the call of patriotism. His countrymen, fellow patriots and companions in arms, were such men as General Papineau and Dr. Allard, two of the most prominent men in this patriotic movement. After a short but severe struggle and some fighting the patriots, deceived by traitors and overwhelmed by the mighty power of England, were obliged to flee for their lives.
Dr. Consigny crossed the border into Vermont and although such a course seemed disastrous to him, yet it was not without its good fortune, for in that state, in 1840, he met and married Miss Lucy L. Goodrich, who for many years was a most faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. Her father was Ezekiel Goodrich, a representative of an old Ameri- can family and one of the soldiers of the American army in the war of 1812. Captain Valentine Goodrich, a brother of Mrs. Consigny, laid down his life on the altar of his country in the battle of Lundy's Lane and the bullet which caused his demise is still in possession of the family. For two years after becoming a resident of Vermont Dr. Consigny practiced in Swanton Falls. A price of ten thousand pounds cash was placed upon the heads of General Papineau, Dr. Allard and Dr. Consigny, and it required a special pardon from the king of England before they could return to their native land. When it was once more safe for him to locate in Canada he opened an office for the practice of medicine at St. Cesaire and there spent his remaining days. His health had been greatly impaired during his army experiences, which were fraught not only with danger but with many hardships and privations. On one occasion, his horse having given out, he was three days and nights in the dense Canadian forests in a rainstorm without shelter. This brought on rheumatism, which occasioned his death when he was only forty-five years of age. Because of his health he was obliged to discontinue the practice of medicine and thereafter was superintendent of instruction in Lower Canada, proving a most capable official in that position. He was a man of great liber- ality and broad ideas, being recognized as one of the world's thinkers and his views upon any subject were usually sound and advanced, being the result of close and careful investigation of the subject. He was justly accounted
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one of nature's noblemen, being in every relation of life true to high ideals and lofty principles. He held friendship inviolable and in his home was a devoted husband and father. His widow long survived him and died at an advanced age in Avoca. Her birth occurred at Swanton Falls, Vermont, June 2, 1811, and for about fifteen years following her marriage she lived with her husband in Canada. She held membership in the church and was an earnest Christian woman, whose splendid example and teachings left their impress upon the lives of her children. Her father. Ezekiel Goodrich, was a well-to-do Vermont farmer and lived to the very great age of ninety-nine years, retaining to his last days his cheerful disposition and mental activity.
Major Eugene A. Consigny was a young lad when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Canada to Vermont. His boyhood and youth were spent in the towns of Burlington and Swanton Falls and he acquired his education in the district schools and at a college in Burlington. Again be- coming a resident of Canada, he spent some time as a student in the College of St. Hyacinthe and was graduated with honor. About the time of his father's death he was appointed to the position of superintendent of instruc- tion for Lower Canada to fill out his father's unexpired term of three months, in which capacity he discharged his duties in most able manner. It was his and his father's desire that he should enter the legal profession but fol- lowing the father's death he found it necessary to aid his mother in the support of the family and therefore, giving up his idea of pursuing a college course, he accepted a clerkship in a mercantile store at Granby, Lower Canada. At different times he was employed as a salesman in St. Albans, Vermont, and at Montreal and then removed to Swanton Falls, Vermont, which was the girlhood home of his mother, who two years before had returned to that place from Canada. There Mr. Consigny became connected with the firm of Jewett & Barney, representing the interests of Colonel Barney, who at that time was a soldier of the Civil war. During this period he had contributed generously of his earnings to assist his mother in educating her children, being a great help to her in this work, but his desire to aid his adopted coun- try in crushing out the rebellion of the south led him to enlist in the army. He was offered a commission by his cousin, Colonel Barney of New York, who fell at the battle of the Wilderness while leading his brigade. Mr. Consigny, however, joined the army as a private of Company M, First Regi- ment Vermont Volunteer Cavalry, which was immediately ordered to the front. He therefore took part in a number of skirmishes and battles, includ- ing the engagements at Fairfax, Dranesville, Winchester, Lynchburg, Gettys- burg. Fisher's Hill, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Five Forks and Appomattox, where the surrender of General Lee to General Grant practically brought the war to a close. On the morning of the 9th of April, 1865, Major Consigny, then being adjutant of the regiment, led the last charge made by the cavalry in the Eastern army. In the meantime he had proved his valor and loyalty and had frequently been promoted. After a few months spent at the front he was made sergeant and subsequently orderly sergeant. He then received the commission of second lieutenant and for gallant and
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meritorious service on the battlefield he was made first lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment. From the battle of the Wilderness at Five Forks he was detailed for duty on General Hancock's staff and while thus engaged was wounded by a sharpshooter at Spottsylvania, being struck by a spent ball on the head. When hostilities between the north and the south had ceased he was for three months in active duty on the frontier and was then hon- orably discharged at Burlington, Vermont.
Throughout his entire life Major Consigny was as loyal to duty in days of peace as when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields and wherever he was located his worth as a citizen was widely acknowledged. Following his return to New England he shortly afterward came to the middle west, traveling by way of Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa, where he was em- ployed in the mercantile establishment of an uncle, George Barney, for three or four years. He was then placed in charge of a branch store in Cascade, where he remained for a short time. It was during his residence there that he was married and later he removed to Missouri, settling on a fruit farm near De Soto. There he lived for a few years and in 1872 came to Avoca, Iowa, where for some time he was employed as a grain buyer in the elevator at this place, owned by B. F. Allen of Des Moines. Wishing, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he established a coal business in Avoca, with which he was identified until about 1879, when he purchased an interest in the milling business of the old Avoca mill in connection with L. B. Worth and W. S. Kinney. Later Mr. Worth and Mr. Consigny bought Mr. Kinney's interest in this enterprise, their partnership continuing until 1887, when the Avoca Roller Mill Company was incorporated, Major Con- signy becoming its president. The mill was then carried on under that ownership and management until the fall of 1888, when Major Consigny and his son, L. G. Consigny, leased the mill property of the old Avoca mill, which they operated until the 1st of August, 1889. The two mills were then consolidated, both plants being operated for about one year under the name of the Centennial mills, Major Consigny being president of the company. In May, 1891, he and his son acquired a controlling interest in the business and he was thus closely associated with the milling enterprise up to the time of his death, which occurred August 8, 1900. His son, L. G. Consigny, was then made president of the company, in which capacity he has since served. Major Consigny was a man of excellent business ability, far-sighted and cor- rect in his judgment, and his honorable methods and stalwart purposes won for him prosperity.
It was in 1868 that Major Consigny was united in marriage to Miss Cassie Benham, a daughter of Dr. Lucius and Rebecca (Van Horn) Benham. of Cascade, Iowa, her father having been one of the old-time physicians and hotel proprietors of that place. Unto Major and Mrs. Consigny were born two sons: Eugene F., who is secretary and treasurer of the Centennial Mill Company; and Lucius G., the president of the company.
In his political views Major Consigny was a stalwart republican, recog- nized as one of the leaders of the party in this section of the state. He was
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frequently a delegate to his county and state conventions, where his opinons carried weight and he was also delegate to the national convention at one time. The honors and emoluments of office, however, had no attraction for him, yet he withheld his co-operation from no movement or measure that was calcu- lated to prove of general good. At one time he served as mayor of Avoca and gave to the city a public-spirited administration. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias lodge, to U. S. Grant post. No. 123, G. A. R .. and to the Loyal Legion. In former years he held the office of department commander of Iowa, to which he was elected by acclamation. In 1888, at the encamp- ment in Cedar Rapids, by a rising vote of the convention. the delegates were instructed by resolution to nominate General Consigny as commander-in- chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an honor which an old soldier can always appreciate. At the Redfield Association at Dexter. Iowa, eight thousand soldiers being present, a resolution was ordered sent by wire to President Harrison for the appointment of General Consigny as commissioner of pensions, in place of Corporal Tanner, a compliment appreciated by Major Consigny as showing the esteem in which he was held by the old sol- diers of his state-once his comrades in arms. In April, 1890, at the depart- ment encampment in Des Moines, he was presented with an elegant jeweled gold badge representing his rank as general. to which rank he attained by reason of his election as department commander of Iowa.
The cause of education ever found in General Consigny a warm and helpful friend. He served for six years as president of the school board of Avoca and was at one time trustee of Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a strong advocate of temperance principles, which he upheld through example and precept. In fact he stood for all that tends to uplift man and promote the general interests of society. Whether on the field of battle, in business life or in social relations he was always the same honorable and honored gentleman, fearless in defense of his honest convictions yet consider- ate of the opinions of others, faithful in friendship and devoted to the ties of home and kindred. Long a resident of Avoca. he left the impress of his individuality upon its public life and business advancement and no history of the community would be complete without mention of him.
AUGUST F. HAGER.
August F. Hager, the owner of a rich and productive tract of land of one hundred and forty acres two miles west of Avoca, is here successfully engaged in general farming and in the raising of pure bred Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. He was born on the 18th of March, 1873, in Daven- port. Scott county, Iowa. of the marriage of Henry and Mary Hager, the former an agriculturist.
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August F. Hager acquired his education in the schools of Pleasant town- ship, Pottawattamie county, Iowa, being graduated therefrom in 1891. He remained with his father on the home farm, assisting in its cultivation and development, until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when, in 1898, he rented a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land two miles southeast of Shelby, Iowa. There he successfully carried on his farming interests until 1903, when he purchased a tract of one hundred and forty aeres two miles west of Avoca, which he still operates. In addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in the raising of pure bred Here- ford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and in both branches of his business is meeting with a gratifying measure of success.
On the 26th of February, 1898, Mr. Hager was united in marriage to Miss Laura Hagedorn, at Shelby, Iowa. They are now the parents of three children, namely: Walter, Elsie and Arthur Hager.
Our subject is a member of the Lutheran church, and in the community where they reside both he and his wife are highly esteemed for their genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character. The success which Mr. Hager has achieved is due entirely to his own well directed labors and enterprise and he is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of his com- munity.
HENRY W. MILLER.
IIenry W. Miller, engaged in general farming, operates one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land lying in Crescent township. He was born in Page county, Iowa, and mention is made of his family history in connection with the sketch of his brother, G. F. Miller, on another page of this volume. At the usual age he entered the public schools, attending the district and graded schools until he had acquired a fair English education. He remained with his parents until about twenty-six years of age and then engaged in farming on his own account. He has followed this pursuit throughout his entire life and is now cultivating a good farm in Crescent township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land belonging to his father's estate, but it was purchased by the mother since the father's death. In all of his farm work he displays an aptitude for success- ful management and annually gathers rich crops as the result of the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. He follows general farming, raising both grain and stock.
On March 23, 1904, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Stella McMullen, a daughter of J. H. McMullen, of Crescent township, and they have one child. Carl Henry. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Miller is serving as a trustee, and in the work of the church they are much interested. In politics he is a democrat, who at the present writing is township assessor, his incumbency continuing for four years. He is also school director at large for the township, while fraternally
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he is connected with the Odd Fellows and with the Modern Woodmen of America. His interest in community affairs is that of a public-spirited citi- zen and both he and his wife are advocates of all that pertains to progress along material. intellectual and moral lines.
CHARLES MCKEOWN.
Charles MeKeown, a farmer of Crescent township, living on section 10, was born in Green county. Wisconsin, November 7, 1859. His father, Edward A. Mckeown, was a native of Belfast. Ireland, and his life record, covering a span of sixty-five years, was terminated in death in 1881. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Gillmore, was a native of Bel- fast. Ireland, and died in 1905, at the age of eighty-four years. They were married on the Emerald Isle and thinking to enjoy better business oppor- tunities in the new world they came to the United States in 1857, settling in Wisconsin. There the father engaged in farming for four years and in the meantime his son Charles was born there. In 1861 he came with his family to Pottawattamie county, settling in Crescent township, where he continued to make his home until his demise. His wife also died on the old home- stead. As the years passed by his labors proved fruitful and in the opera- tion of his farm and in the control of his agricultural interests he accumul- lated a comfortable competence.
Charles Mckeown is the younger of two children. his sister being Mrs. Elizabeth West, of Missouri Valley. Iowa. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. He was only about two years of age when the family came to Pottawattamie county and here he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He was afforded good educational privileges and lessons of industry. enterprise and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. Following his father's death he remained with his mother and operated the home farm until three years ago, when he removed to his pres- ent location in Crescent township. Here he owns one hundred and seventy-two acres of good bottom land. well improved, and the labor that has converted it into an excellent farm has all been done by the present owner.
On the 29th of August. 1888, Mr. MeKeown was married to Miss Martha Gillmore, who was born in Rockford township, Pottawattamie county. No- vember 8, 1869, a daughter of John Gillmore, whose birth occurred in County Antrim. Ireland, and who died in 1895 at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother bore the maiden name of Maria O'Brien and was born in Illinois. December S. 1852. She is still living on the old homestead farm in Rockford township and by her marriage she had three children: Mrs. Mckeown : Charlie, who is with his mother; and Mary, who died February 4. 1900. at the age of twenty-six years. John Gillmore. the father, came to America when thirty years of age and remained with a sister for three years in
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New York city. He then went south to Alabama and afterward worked his way up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers until he reached Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he homesteaded a claim. He also bought land in Rockford town- ship, where he carried on farming until his death.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKeown have been born five children: Mary, Lizzie, John, Lucile and Edward, all yet under the parental roof, the family circle being still unbroken by the hand of death. The parents are members of the Catholic church but Mr. Keown has no affiliation with fraternal or- ganizations, nor has he ever been prominent in political circles. He has preferred to give undivided attention to his business affairs that he might provide well for his mother and for his family. He has accomplished the excellent results which always attend untiring labor intelligently applied.
J. H. SCHOFIELD.
J. H. Schofield, a leading, influential and representative agriculturist of Wright township, is the owner of one of its finest farms, embracing four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land on sections 27 and 28. In ad- dition to this place he owns twenty aeres of timber land in the same township. His life record began at Racine, Wisconsin, on the 22d of March, 1846. IIis parents were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schofield, both natives of England, whence they came to America in 1844, establishing their home at Racine. As the years passed the following children were added to their family: William, now deceased; Ann, the wife of Robert Turner, of Oakland, Iowa; John R., of Griswold, this county ; James F., deceased; and J. H., of this review. The parents died in 1848, there being only thirteen days difference in the dates of their demise.
As a public-school student J. H. Schofield learned the lessons which fit- ted him for life's practical duties. He was trained to farm work in his early youth and in 1866, at the age of twenty years, came to Iowa, locating in Cass county. There he engaged in cultivating a part of the land upon which the village of Atlantic now stands. After a year he removed to the vicinity of Lewis, where he rented a farm for one year. He and his two brothers then purchased a tract of three hundred and sixty acres in Wright township and improved the same by tilling the soil and erecting substantial buildings thereon. Mr. Schofield has always been practical in his meth- ods and his labor has ever been intelligently applied. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of fine land on sections 27 and 28, Wright township, while not far distant he has a tract of twenty acres of timber land. His residence in Pottawattamie county, however, has not been continuous since he first came here. In 1882, leaving the farm, he removed to Walnut, where he resided until 1896. He then took up his abode in Adair county, Towa. and conducted a large stock ranch, buying, feeding and selling stock for four years. In 1903 he returned to Pottawattamie county and settled in Wright township. where he now makes his home, having here one of the
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finest farms in the township. He is justly accounted one of its leading and representative agriculturists, for the splendid appearance of his place indi- cates his careful supervision and progressive methods.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Schofield chose Miss Mary A. Hardy, whom he wedded in 1871. She was also a native of Wisconsin, born in 1851, while her parents were natives of Scotland and their family numbered six children. The father is now deceased but the mother still makes her home in the Badger state. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield have become the parents of a daughter and son : Laura M., now the wife of Alfred Anderson, of Denver, Colorado; and George H., who is with a surveying party in the same state. The parents therefore are now alone. They live in an attractive home and are numbered among the best people of Wright township. Politically Mr. Schofield is a republican, supporting the candidates of the party since he cast his first presidential vote for General Grant. He has held most of the township offices and in the discharge of his duties has been found prompt and capable. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Walnut and is an exemplary representative of the order, which has its basic principles in mutual kindliness and brotherly helpfulness.
H. C. MATHESON.
M. C. Matheson, a resident farmer of Hazel Dell township, living on sec- tion 36 and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, is a worthy representative of farming interests. He is one of Iowa's native sons and is imbued with a spirit of progress and enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the rapid and substantial upbuilding of the middle west. His birth occurred in Delaware county, on the 13th of December, 1854. His parents were Angus and Belle (Livingston) Matheson, natives of Scotland, in which country they were married. On coming to the new world they settled in Winnipeg. Canada, in the river country, and in the early '40s they removed to Delaware county. Iowa, taking up their abode upon a farm. They were closely associated with the early development and progress of that locality, where they spent their remaining days.
The boyhood and youth of H. C. Matheson were quietly passed on the old homestead farm, his time being divided between the work of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the labors of the fields. He early gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and har- vesting the crops, and the occupation to which he was reared he has chosen as a life work.
On the 17th of March, 1875, Mr. Matheson was married to Miss Mary Garner. who was born in Pottawattamie county, March 18. 1855, a daughter of William Garner. They have become the parents of ten children but two of the number died in infancy. Those living are: Clyde, who is still under the parental roof; George,, who wedded Stella Vincent and
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