The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
CHARLES A. ARLEN.
Charles A. Arlen, the well-known and popular county treasurer, was born in Clin- ton on the 25th of November, 1872, and is a son of Edward A. and Eliza A. (Fisher) Arlen. His paternal grandfather was Charles Alien, who assumed that name on coming to this country, his real name being Conrad Auerle. He was born in Ger- many April 1, 1822, a son of Michael and Anna Marie (Heinrich) Auerle, and at the age of fifteen came to America. In 1865 he took up his residence in Clinton, Iowa, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade for three years, and then conducted a board- ing house until 1871, when he embarked in the bottling business. In partnership with the father of our subject he carried on that business for many years and met with most excellent success. He was married in Buf-
falo. New York, to Magdalina Hornberger, a native of Alsace, Germany, and to them were born two sons and three daughters, namely: Frank W., of Oxford Junction, Iowa ; Magdalina, wife of J. T. Stoessinger, of Eureka, California ; Edward A., father of our subject, who was born in Wisconsin; and Margaret and Caroline, both deceased. Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, the other be- ing Carrie, deceased; Francis and Edith L., both at home; Edward F., who is employed in his father's office ; Arthur H. ; and Walter, deceased.
Edward A. Arlen spent his early life in his native state of Wisconsin, coming to Clinton county in his youth. Having learned the cigarmaker's trade, on coming to Clinton he first engaged in business as a cigar dealer. With his father, he later started the bottling business under the firm name of Arlen & Son. The business was commenced on a small scale, but grew rapid- lv. He was the active man in the business and had the charge of it. After the death of his father the firm was changed to Ar- len & Ingwersen, and they are now the lead- ing bottlers in this section of the country. He is the owner of a great deal of real es- tate in Clinton, and is one of the success- ful business men of the city. He has been an active politician, but never an aspirant for office.
During his boyhood and youth Charles A. Arlen was given good educational ad- vantages. He attended the public and high schools of Clinton, and also St. Ambrose College at Davenport and the Clinton Busi- ness College. He gained his first knowl- edge of business methods with his father in the bottling works, and later learned the plumber's trade, at which he worked in Milwaukee for a time. He was also em-
ployed in a wholesale grocery store, and was a passenger brakeman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway for six months. In i8g_' he was appointed deputy county treasurer, in which capacity he served for four terms, and was elected county treas- urer in 1899. assuming the duties of that office on the 1st of January, 1900. He has proved a most competent and trustworthy official and his public service has been most exemplary.
On the 22d of August, 1895, Mr. Ar- len was united in marriage with Miss Annie M. Godskesen, who was born in Lyons, and is a daughter of Senilis and Barbara Godskesen. Her father died in 1883, but her mother is still living and makes her home in Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. Arlen have one child, Walter Edward. They have a pleasant home at 128 Seventh avenue, Clinton.
In his political affiliations Mr. Arlen is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in political affairs. In his social relations he is a member of America Lodge, No. 527, 1. O. O. F. ; Lafayette Lodge, No. 44, K. P.; and Lodge No. 199, B. P. O. E. As a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge any duty devolving upon him, and is pre- eminently public-spirited and progressive. He is pleasant and genial in manner, and is very popular, having a most extensive circle of friends and acquaintances.
Source: The Biographical record of Clinton County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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