The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 1030 

ANTON R. FOSSUM.

Anton R. Fossum is numbered among the American citizens that Norway has
furnished to this country, many of whom have in such marked degree contributed
toward agricultural development in various sections of the United States.
Although he has now retired to some extent from the more arduous duties of
agriculture he still gives his attention to about ten acres which are planted to
apples and pears. In this country he has found the success which he sought by
bringing into play his natural ability and supplementing this quality with
foresight, business acumen and industry. Mr. Fossum was born in Norway, December
27, 1862, his parents being Andreas and Margaret Fossum, the latter of whom is
deceased. The father, who is an agriculturist, still resides in Norway.

Anton R. Fossum was reared under the parental roof and in the excellent schools
of his native country received his education until he was well prepared for
life's arduous duties. He remained in Norway until about twenty-one years of
age, but not being content with the opportunities presented in his native land,
he decided to cross the Atlantic and came to America in order to profit by the
chances here offered. He did not tarry on the Atlantic seaboard but soon after
his arrival went to Chicago, reaching that city in 1883, and there he remained
for a year and a half. At the end of that period he made his way to Rock
Springs, Wyoming, where he followed his trade as a painter. He next located in
Virginia City, Montana, there staying for a year, and thence went to Butte,
where eighteen months were spent. At the end of that time he returned to Rock
Springs and that remained his residence for about six years, although he
returned to Europe during this space of time and also spent one year in Boston.
Later he returned to Chicago, where he followed the trade of painting for about
twelve years, but the fascination of the western country was upon him and in
1908 he decided to again seek the Pacific slope. He came to the Yakima valley,
where he acquired twenty-five acres on the lower Naches and to its cultivation
he gave his attention for some time but has since sold fifteen acres. At the
present time he has ten acres. which are planted to apples and pears and from
which he derives a very gratifying income. Mr. Fossum has set out all of these
trees and he has built a nice ]ionic and suitable barns, everything about the
place indicating his progressive and up-to-date methods.

In 1912 Mr. Fossum was united in marriage to Miss Thora Tenesen, a native of
Norway, who came to this country as a young girl, and to this union has been
born a son, Andreas Thor, whose birth occurred June 3, 1913.

In his political views Mr. Fossum is a democrat, steadfastly supporting the
candidates of that party. He has never had the desire to hold public office
although he takes a great interest in anything that pertains to the development
of his section of the state. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, being
a member of Pleiades Lodge, No. 475. A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, Illinois. having
joined the Masonic order while a resident of that city. He has ever remained
true to the principles underlying this organization, which guide him in his
conduct toward his fellowmen. There is much credit due Mr. Fossum for what he
has achieved, as he has made his way in life entirely unaided and now is
numbered among the substantial citizens of his part of the Yakima valley.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.