James M. Wallen was a resident of Coventry on September 9 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. H of the 25th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was mustered out August 26, 1863.

He was born about August, 1844 in Coventry, Connecticut to Benjamin and Fanny (Keith) Wallen. In the 1860 U.S. census in Coventry, he is a 15 year old farm laborer in the household of Benjamin Wallen. James Wallen married Caroline/Carrie Nichols about 1875 and they were living in Mansfield by 1880; he worked in a box shop and as a farm laborer. Children include: Walter A. Wallen born about 1880 and Arthur M. Wallen, born about 1885.

On May 11, 1889, he applied for an invalid pension under No. 703,195 that was granted under certificate No. 483,005.

James M. Wallen died on August 17, 1903 in Mansfield and is buried at the New Mansfield Center Cemetery in Mansfield.