Anton Kraabel

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Anton Kraabel (Øyer, Gudbrandsdal (Norway), October 16, 1862 - 1934) was a North Dakotan politician, born in Norway.

When Kraabel was four years old, his family including his parents, two brothers and three sisters emigrated to the United States and settled in near Coon Valley in southeastern Wisconsin. Two sisters were born to the family afterwards.

At the age of sixteen, Anton started supporting himself by working on farms and in a sawmill. He later moved to North Dakota where he worked as a peddlar, as a hotel manager and a lumber yard manager. Eventually, he settled in Clifford, North Dakota and began his career as a manager of a general store. In 1899, along with several others, he started the Clifford Bank.

Anton was involved in local, county and state politics in North Dakota beginning as township clerk in 1888 and subsequently as township treasurer. He was later elected member of the North Dakota Legislature and then a state senator. Finally, in 1912, he was elected Lieutenant Governor.

After his political career, Anton served as a chair and member of several boards. He helped to organize the Traill County Telephone Company and was its president for twelve years.

Anton married Maren Oline Oswald in 1892, and they had seven children, three girls and four boys.