Thomas Frankson

Thomas Frankson (September 16, 1869 – June 8, 1939) was a lawyer, real estate developer, and politician who served as the 22nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota from 1917 to 1921.

Biography Frankson was born in York Township, Minnesota in 1869. In 1900, he graduated from the University of Minnesota law school and was admitted to the bar. He practiced law briefly before returning to Spring Valley, Minnesota to set up a real estate business. He heavily advertised, chartered railroad sleeper cars for prospective customers, and traded land for a hotel, farm machinery, and livestock. He was also an avid collector, including of animals. He acquired his first buffalo in 1906, and also kept deer, Shetland ponies, elk, and other animals in a "zoo" at his home.

In 1906, Frankson entered politics, running for the Republican nomination for the state senate seat in Fillmore County. He was then successfully elected to the Minnesota house in 1911. He was especially strongly in favor of a "tonnage tax" on iron ore, arguing that U.S. Steel was under-taxed.

He built a home at 1349 Midway Parkway on the Western border of Como Park in St. Paul that is referred to as the Thomas Frankson House today. He raised bison in a private buffalo pasture a few blocks West of his home near what is now Bison Street and Holy Childhood Catholic Church and School. He attempted to donate the land and animals to the City of St. Paul as a "pocket edition of Como Park"; In 1915, the animals were accepted by the new zoo at Como Park.

Frankson campaigned for the Lt. Governor seat in 1916. His main opponent was established politician James A. Peterson. Frankson won the nomination but a group of voters asked a judge to disqualify Farnkson for violating the Corrupt Practices Act, allegedly having spent $25,000 campaigning when the legal limit was $3,500. His reported expenditure with the secretary of state's office was $2,855. Frankson was elected to the position that fall and then to a second term. He then ran for Governor, finishing a dismal third in the race with 8.92% of the vote.