Champlin, Lucian C.

CHAMPLIN, NELSON, REYNOLDS, MAUL

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 22:10:33

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

LUCIAN C. CHAMPLIN.

Among the well-known and estimable citizens of Clinton, Iowa, who since August, 1887, has been a trusted employe for the Chicago & Missouri Railroad Company, is Lucian C. Champlain, who was born in Springport, Michigan, on November 25, 1865. His parents were William and Lucinda (Nelson) Champlin, both of whom died on the home farm in Michigan.

William Champlin, the father of our subject, was born in Saybrook, Connecticut, and early in life moved to New York, from thence to Michigan, where the remainder of his life was passed. Although an entirely self-educated man he became prosperous and at the time of his deceased owned two hundred and forty acres of Michigan land. The mother of our subject died in 1871, aged thirty-six years, but the father survived until 1891, having reached eighty-three years. To them were born five sons and one daughter, one son dying at the age of nine years, the others being: Lucian C., of this biography; Leslie, who resides on the homestead in Michigan; Orson, who is a farmer in Michigan; Erastus who is also a farmer in Michigan, and Dora, who is the wife of Walter Reynolds, and lives in Vail, Iowa.

Lucian C. Champlin acquired his education in the district schools of Michigan and remained at home assisting his father on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then found employment in saw and planing mills, but in 1883 took up the career in which he has attained success. His first employment in railroad work was on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, where for eighteen months he faithfully performed the duties of brakeman, in 1885 being promoted and for two years was engaged in running trains, with headquarters at Hillsdale, Michigan. The following ten years were spent in braking for the Chicago & Missouri between Clinton and Boone and Belle Plaine. In 1897 his faithful services were rewarded by promotion to the position of conductor and since that date he has been one of the most careful and reliable officers of the road, no accidents having happened under his management.

The marriage of Mr. Champlin was in Clinton in 1888, to Miss Margaret Maul, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1863, and came to Clinton when but five years of age. She was a daughter of Philip Maul, who was a valued employe of the sawmill and still resides in Clinton. Mrs. Champlin is a very intelligent lady and acquired her education in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Champlin have a very pleasant home in Clinton, where he purchased a lot and erected a residence in 1900, this being fitted with all modern improvements and one of the most desirable homes in the city. Mr. Champlin has attained his success entirely through his own efforts and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of friends.

Fraternally, Mr. Champlin belongs to the Masonic order, Blue Lodge, of Clinton, Iowa; of encampment, I. O. O. F., and of B. of R. T., No. 183, which order he joined in Michigan in 1885, when it was in its infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Champlin are members of the Rebekahs, in which Mrs. Champlin has passed all the chairs and was the first treasurer of the order, taking a deep interest in lodge work.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Maul, the parents of Mrs. Champlin, reared a family of fifteen children, all of whom are still surviving except one son who was killed at Galesburg, Illinois, on the railroad, two children who died in childhood and one who died in infancy.