Anton C. Larson

Anton C. Larson, a prominent real-estate dealer in Waukon and well known in business and political circles of the city, is a native of Allamakee county, born June 2, 1857. His father, Christian Larson, was born in Norway and there grew to maturity and married. He and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1853, coming direct to Iowa, where they settled in Hanover township, Allamakee county. The father entered an eighty acre tract of land which he broke, fenced and improved, later purchasing more property to which he added from time to time until he owned a fine farm of two hundred acres. Upon this he made substantial improvements, erecting a good residence, barns and other outbuildings and installing all of the necessary machinery and equipment. He made his property valuable and by his practical and progressive methods secured for himself a place among the prosperous and successful farmers of Hanover township. He spent his last years upon the homestead, dying at the advanced age of eighty-two. His wife survives him and makes her home with one of her sons on the old farm where she has lived for the past fifty-nine years. She is now in the eighty-seventh year of her age.

Anton C. Larson was reared upon his father's farm in Hanover township and as a child aided in the operation of the homestead. He attended the district school and later supplemented this by a course in a commercial college in Minneapolis. He afterward went to Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota, where he clerked for three years, at the end of which time he returned home and clerked in a general store for five years, receiving during this time a thorough and practical business training. Returning to Yellow Medicine county, he engaged in business at Canby, where he made his home for five years, disposing of his interests at the end of that time in order to come to Waukon, where he has since remained. He soon became prominent in local politics, winning the appointment to the office of deputy county treasurer, a capacity in which he served ably and efficiently for six years, resigning only to accept the office of county treasurer. At the end of his first term his able work was rewarded by reelection and in all he served in this office for four years. Upon the completion of his last term he opened a real-estate office in Waukon and has since given his entire time to the conduct of his business. He deals in Allamakee county improved farming lands and town properties and handles also Dakota and Canadian real estate. He has bought and sold numerous farms in this section of Iowa and has negotiated the sale of a great many business houses and residences in Waukon. Possessing a just comprehension of land values, he has so conducted his business as to make it profitable not only to himself but to his clients also.

On the 17th of November, 1885, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Larson, a native of Norway but reared and educated in Iowa and Minnesota. To their union were born three children: Myrtle, who lives at home; Ralph, who is a student in the Waukon high school; and Alden, also pursuing his studies.

Fraternally Mr. Larson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, with which he has been affiliated since casting his first vote. Aside from the public offices before mentioned he was for five years a member of the common council while a resident of Canby and he is known as an eminently public-spirited and progressive citizen. For many years he has been a force in public affairs in this section and his efficient services in various positions of public trust have had an important effect upon local political conditions. His interests have been thoroughly identified with those of Waukon and Allamakee county and no progressive public project seeks his support in vain. In business and politics he has won success and at the same time has gained the regard and esteem of all who are associated with him.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Jan Miller

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