Edwin A. Dalton

Edwin A. Dalton
Born	Template:Birth date Jesup, Iowa, U.S.
Died	November 30, 1947(1947-11-30) (aged 78)
Occupation(s)	Football player, coach, banking executive
Years active	1890 (football player), 1892 (football coach), until 1932 (banking)
Known for	First paid head coach of Iowa Hawkeyes football; President of First National Bank of Le Mars, Iowa

Edwin A. Dalton (October 3, 1869 – November 30, 1947) was an American football athlete, coach, and banking executive. He holds the distinction of being the first compensated head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes football squad, a position he occupied briefly in October 1892. Subsequently, Dalton advanced to become president of the First National Bank located in Le Mars, Iowa, retiring from this role in 1932.

Early years

Dalton was born in Jesup, Iowa in 1869 and relocated to Le Mars, Iowa in 1873. After completing his studies at Le Mars High School, he enrolled at Princeton University, where he played as an end and halfback on the 1890 Princeton Tigers football roster.

Banking career

Upon finishing his education, Dalton entered the First National Bank of Le Mars, an institution established by his father, Patrick F. Dalton, in 1882. He served as the bank’s president for numerous years prior to retiring in 1932.

Football coach

In October 1892, Dalton briefly assumed the role of the first salaried head coach for the University of Iowa's Iowa Hawkeyes football team. During his short coaching period, the team achieved a record of 3–2–1. As noted by Iowa Alumnus magazine, his coaching tenure lasted only ten days within that month.

Personal life

Dalton married Julia McLean in 1898. The couple had a son named Donald Dalton, who later attained the rank of captain in the United States Navy. Census data from 1900, 1920, and 1925 confirm that Dalton resided in Le Mars with Julia while working initially as a bank cashier and subsequently as a banker at his family’s institution. He was engaged in local commerce as a member of the Prairie Club and was a founding member of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce.

The Dalton family residence, constructed in 1900 at 25 Sixth Street N.E., is recognized as a historic landmark within Le Mars and has been included in regional historic home tours.