Elijah Waln was the son of Samuel and Margaret (Dick) Waln. He was born in Frederick Co, VA a part of which became Berkeley and then Morgan Co, (now WV) His father Samuel, a miller, was listed as a "Gentleman Justice", one of the first County Magistrates of Morgan Co.

After his father's death, 16 yr. old Elijah became "the man of the family," and with his mother and siblings, joined the emigration of many of his friends and neighbors who moved to Ohio. He went first to Pickaway Co with his mother and uncles where his mother remarried to Joseph Smith. Elijah then moved on to Highland Co, where he learned the trade of mercantilism as a clerk in a wholesale dry goods operation.

After his marriage to Mary Jane Adams (whose family had also moved to Ohio from Virginia), the couple moved to Iowa--then a frontier territory. Again the move was made with several friends and extended family members. As one of the earliest settlers in Linn County, IA, Elijah soon became one of the most successful and influential members in the Mt. Vernon community. He not only farmed but also operated the first general store, became active in politics becoming the first to be elected from Linn Co to the Iowa General Assembly, served as postmaster, justice of the peace, and was one of the founders of Cornell College. He was also VERY active in the Methodist Church.

Obituary from Mt. Vernon (IA) HAWKEYE, Friday July 17th, 1896

Death of Esquire Waln.
The death Tuesday night July 14th of Esquire Waln was not unexpected. For many weeks he lingered on the border land of the Eternal World. Death however under any and all circumstances is always sad. The rich and gracious promise "Though shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season" is rarely more perfectly realized than in the slow decline and passing away of our honorable and highly esteemed townsman Esquire Waln. In the truest and fullest sense he fulfilled his days and was gathered to his fathers in peace. His life was earnest and toilsome. He early learned the great maxium of philosophy that man was created to work and the lesson of industry, patient perseverance and endurance he then acquired, gave a bend to his character and a purpose to his life which he never lost. Whatever he undertook to do he did it faithfully and like a true man, for it was characteristic of him throughout his long life that what force he had in him, was expended in manful well doing. He was a genial wholesouled companionable man, and his death leaves the tenderest regret in the hearts of all who knew him, and knew how noble and wholehearted he was -- the memory of whose kindness and sympathy and loving deeds, will live long after the perishable body has mouldered to dust.

How beautiful is such a life! how noble such a death!--What can be more solemn, harmonious and grand than the contemplation of such a life in the hours when it hovers on the verge of the grave. Such a life has been compared to a summer day. From his setting the sun will rise again to-morrow and shine on men and their works. But once finished, even a good life has no renewal in this world, except in the tender memories and pure influences it leaves behind. It will end here but it will begin in another sphere, under new conditions, more beautiful than the setting sun; nobler than any earthly symbol that poet or painter can suggest, is the end of a just kind and useful life.

Hon. Elijah Dick Waln was born in Frederick County Va Dec. 29th 1814. His father Samuel Waln was a native of the same county and was a decendant(sic) of Nicholas Waln, a member of the Society of Friends and one of a number who settled in Philadelphia not long after William Penn. When he was fifteen years of age his father died and in 1830 his mother and family moved to Pickaway county Ohio making the journey overland with a horse team. Two years later his mother married a farmer in that county and continued to reside there until her death, which occured (sic) Sept. 12, 1868.

Elijah, being the eldest of his parents children, at the death of his father had the care of his brothers and sisters until the second marriage of his mother. For several years he was employed as a clerk until by the strictest economy he succeeded in accumulating a sufficient sum of money to purchase a small stock of goods and located at Ohio. In 1840 he disposed of his mercantile interests in Ohio and moved to Iowa making the journey overland. He first located in Bertram township and purchased a claim consisting of one-half section 12 in that township. Here the family made themselves as comfortable as possible. The nearest market was Dubuque, the nearest mill at Otter Creek and the nearest post office Marion.

Mr. Waln entered his land from the government as soon as it came into market, secured his title and remained upon it until 1848. He then moved to Mt. Vernon, erected a store building, put in a stock of goods and opened the first store in this town. He kept a general stock of everything required in those primitive days and also for a time kept hotel in this same store building, he continued this occupation until 1860 when he sold out and resumed farming on his farm adjoining town, where he continued to reside until a few years ago when he sold his farm to Mr. Whittemore and built a cottage near the public school building where he has since lived.

Mr. Waln was married Sept. 12 1835 to Miss Mary J. Adams who still survives him. She was native of Highland county Ohio, born April 23rd 1819, and was one of a household of ten children. The record of Mr. Waln's family is as follows: Alonzo lives in Fayette county Iowa, Melissa is the wife of Hon. Geo. W. Hayzelett of LaPorte Iowa, Annie Eliza is the wife of H.D. Fullerton and lives in Wright Co. Iowa, Cinderella is the wife of Robert L. Wilson of Springfield Dakota, Josephene R. married A.C. Powers of Peoria Ill., Sarah A. is the wife of W. T. Wright who lives in Kansas, George lives in Wright county, Charles died in August 1877, Minnie is the wife of T.C. Foley of Wright county and Edith married Miles J. Cummings and lives in Henry county Ills. Mr. Waln has been a faithful member of the Methodist church since 1850, and has contributed liberally to its support. He was one of the first benefactors of Cornell College contributing first toward the purchase of the present site, and he has been a liberal contributor ever since. He was the first Secretary at the first business meeting and held that position many years until he felt that it would be better to turn the whole over to younger hands."

Same page: "The funeral of Esquire Waln will be held to-morrow, Friday at the house at 2 o'clock. Mrs. Hayzlett, Mrs. Fullerton, Mrs. Cummings, Mrs. Wilson, Geo. Waln and wife and A.L. Waln are here and Mrs. Powers is expected to-day."