WALN, C. A.

WALN, MINTS, NILES, STEVENS, LATHROP

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/8/2003 at 21:08:13

Biography reproduced from page 110 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

C. A. Waln, who for the past four years has had charge of the Minneapolis & St. Louis railway office at Luverne, was born in Hawkeye, Iowa, on the 4th of April, 1882, and is a son of Alonzo and Isabella (Mints) Waln. The father was born in Ohio but removed from there to Iowa with his parents, who located in the vicinity of Hawkeye, where he and the mother still reside. Mr. Waln, who is a painter and paper hanger by trade, is a veteran of the Civil war. He went to the front as a private in Company F., Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the service for three years. He participated in many of the notable conflicts of the war, was once wounded in battle and also taken prisoner. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waln, as follows: Frank, who is living in Smithfield, Nebraska; Mary, the wife of I. A. Niles, of Fullerton, Nebraska; Alonzo Theodore, living in Salem, Oregon; Edwin, who is deceased; Rena, the wife of C. E. Stevens, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Robert H., who resides in Portland, Oregon; Fred, who is deceased; C. A., our subject; and Winnifred, who is living at home with her parents.

The education of C. A. Waln was acquired in the public schools of Hawkeye and vicinity, following which he learned telegraphy. He was first stationed at Ashland, Wisconsin, remaining there for a year. At the end of that time he was sent to Monticello, Iowa, where he had charge of the station and telegraph office for a similar period. He was next put in charge of the office at Luton, Iowa, but six months later he returned to the Minneapolis & St. Louis and was stationed at Burnside for a year. From there he came to Luverne, where he has now been located for four years. Mr. Waln is affable and accommodating and is well liked in business circles and the community generally. He is an ambitious and thrifty young man and during the period of his residence here has acquired some real estate in the town.

On the 9th of September, 1903, Mr. Waln was married to Miss Lillian E. Lathrop and to them have been born three children, as follows: Edith, Donald L. and Winnifred.

The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Waln belongs to the Order of Railway Telegraphers and his political support he gives to the republican party, believing that the principles of that body are best adapted to serve the highest interests of the majority.