"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



The late Frank T. Anton was a man who believed in making the most of life's little span and in assisting, whenever practicable, those whom he came in contact with along the journey, consequently he was admired and esteemed by all who knew him and was rated a good citizen in every respect. He was a leading merchant at Windom.

Mr. Anton was born near Staughton, Wisconsin, September 17, 1866, and was a son of Ola and Maritl Anton, both natives of Norway, from which country they came to Wisconsin when young and were married in that state, removing to Iowa about 1868, where they remained a short time, then moved to Jackson county, Minnesota, locating three miles southeast of Windom, where they engaged in farming until they retired and moved to Windom. Their family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are living at this writing, namely: Anthony, Albert, Martin, Godfrey, Caroline, Anna and Ida.

Frank T. Anton grew up on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Jackson county. After leaving school he came to Windom and clerked in a store for Robison & Freeman, and during this period he attended night school, being ambitious to obtain a higher education to fit him properly for his life work. Later, he worked for Thurston Brothers for a number of years, during which time he learned the various phases of the merchantile business, and in 1893 he entered partnership with T. E. Johnson in the general merchandise business, in which he remained for some time, when he and his partner sold out, Mr. Anton and his family removing to Minneapolis, where he engaged in the laundry business for two years and then returned to Windom. In partnership with O. E. Seines he bought the Hutton general store, which they operated several years, then sold out, Mr. Anton forming a partnership with Gustav Muller, they buying out the clothing stock of J. E. Jennis. The partnership with Muller continued until Mr. Anton's death. He was very successful as a merchant, always living rip to the precepts of the Golden Rule, and his customers were always sure to receive honest and courteous consideration at his hands. He was a man of sound business judgment and foresight.

Mr. Anton was married on August 28, 1893, to Anna Erickson, a daughter of Carl G. and Charlotte (Olson) Erickson, and to this union three children were born, namely: Arthur, Clinton and Delbert. Mrs. Anton, who was born in Jackson county, Minnesota, where she grew to womanhood and was educated in the public schools, was the daughter of Swedish parents, both born, reared and educated in Sweden, in which country they were married. They finally came to Minnesota and homesteaded land in Jackson county, where they farmed until 1893, when they retired and moved to Windom where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1912 and the mother in 1915. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Emma, Anna, Ida, Marie, Julia, Helda and William.

Frank T. Anton was a Republican. He took an active interest in the welfare of his town and county, and served as alderman for a number of years, also on the local school board. Fraternally, he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order o! United Workmen. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The death of Mr. Anton occurred on December 2, 1913, at the early age of forty-seven years, when in the prime of life and usefulness.