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Show ALLA NELSON Elected MULHALL 1965-1967 AlIa Nelson was born in Salina, Utah on May 16, 1900 to Arthur and Ludvigson Nelson. Her mother was the first woman telegraph operator in Utah. While AlIa was four, the family moved to Salt Lake City, where she attended the first four grades of school. Then the family moved to Sterling. A small Conununity six miles south of Anna Manti. After she graduated from the eighth grade the Nelsons moved back to Salt lake City, where AlIa registered at West High School. She says it was the worst in her life. She was a shy county girl straight off the farm and it seemed like everyone had friends but her. She left high school after her third year and worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company. After nine months she was promoted to supervisor, but felt there were better things for her to do. She was hired to teach school in Sterling for $72.00 per month. Her plan was to attend the University in the winter. That was not to be, as her father sustained a severe injury at the Railroad where he worked as a carpenter. So AlIa had to keep her job. She later to "The Deer Trail Mine" to old friends who let her rent a students in 6 grades. went teach. room While there he met some 12 from them. She taught more training and schooling so she enrolled in school/work program in Salt Lake. After a year, she was given a position at Lafayette School where she taught until she met and AlIa knew she needed a married married a nice Sept. young 2, 1933 business man, Thomas E. Mulhall. in the Unitarian Church. They were the depression years and married teachers were not Alla did a great deal of aubs t it.ut e work, and when World War II came and there was a dearth of teachers, the Board of Education called her and said there was an emergency and would she fill in until they got a regular teacher. The "emergency" lasted nearly 20 the last ten of which Alla spent as a certified school years, librarian. She retired in 1964. These hired. were the General Sales manager for Central Coal & Coke Company was and they moved into a small house that was to be their home for the rest of their lives. Tom In 1964, the young man running for the House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket withdrew and friends urged her to run. She It was on of the greatest thrills of her did and was elected. life. It was all the more satisfying for being a woman, a non Mormon and a Democrat in a strong L.D.S. Republican district. She served While 148 one in term. the legislature, she served on Rules, Public Health and |
