# Thomas Frankson *Minnesota lawyer, real estate developer and politician; 22nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota (1917–1921)* Thomas Frankson, born September 16, 1869, and died June 8, 1939, held office as the 22nd [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]] from 1917 to 1921. Before that he worked as a lawyer and a real estate developer.[^1] His public career ran through three stages. In 1906 he sought the Republican nomination for a state senate seat in Fillmore County. He won a seat in the [[Minnesota]] House in 1911, and he ran for lieutenant governor in 1916.[^2] The only source cited here is a secondary one, and it does not establish his legislative votes or his official acts as lieutenant governor.[^2] ## Biography ### Early life and law Frankson's birthplace was York Township, Minnesota, and he was born in 1869. He finished law school at the [[University of Minnesota Law School]] in 1900 and was admitted to the bar that year.[^2] After a short period in legal practice he went back to [[Spring Valley, Minnesota]], where he started a real estate business.[^2] ### Real estate and animal collecting From Spring Valley, Frankson advertised on a large scale and hired railroad sleeper cars to bring prospective buyers. He also exchanged land for a hotel, for farm machinery and for livestock.[^2] He collected animals. His first [[Buffalo]] came in 1906, and at his home he kept deer, elk, Shetland ponies and other animals in what was described as a "zoo".[^2] ### Legislature Frankson sought the Republican nomination for the Fillmore County state senate seat in 1906. He was elected to the Minnesota House in 1911.[^2] In the House he backed a "tonnage tax" on iron ore. His argument was that U.S. Steel paid too little tax.[^2] ### St. Paul development Frankson moved to St. Paul in 1913, after that year's legislative session. There he developed land in several Como neighborhoods through a company called Frankson's Land Agency.[^2] The company's motto was "A rented house is not a home".[^2] The Wikipedia article quotes a newspaper advertisement for the development. That advertisement offered an "exclusive residence district" that would have no "saloons, stores or flats" and no "colored people".[^2] Frankson's own house stood at 1349 Midway Parkway, along the western edge of Como Park in St. Paul. The building is known today as the Thomas Frankson House.[^2] A few blocks to the west, near what is now Bison Street and Holy Childhood Catholic Church and School, he kept bison in a private pasture.[^2] He offered the land and the animals to the [[City of St. Paul]] as a "pocket edition of Como Park". In 1915 the new zoo at Como Park accepted the animals.[^2] ### Lieutenant governor Frankson ran for lieutenant governor in 1916.[^2] He then held the office from 1917 to 1921.[^1] The source does not establish who his main opponent was or what the vote totals were.[^2] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Thomas Frankson (September 16, 1869 – June 8, 1939), 22nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota.[^1] ### What - Lawyer, admitted to the bar in 1900. He later developed real estate in Spring Valley and in St. Paul, where he operated as Frankson's Land Agency.[^2] ### When - 1900: graduated from law school at the University of Minnesota and was admitted to the bar.[^2] - 1906: acquired his first buffalo and sought the Republican nomination for the Fillmore County state senate seat.[^2] - 1911: elected to the Minnesota House.[^2] - 1913: moved to St. Paul after the legislative session.[^2] - 1915: the new zoo at Como Park accepted his animals.[^2] - 1916: ran for lieutenant governor.[^2] - 1917–1921: served as lieutenant governor.[^1] ### Where - York Township, Minnesota (birthplace); Spring Valley, Minnesota (early real estate business); 1349 Midway Parkway, St. Paul (home).[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Thomas Frankson* (revision 1365312403, retrieved 2026-10-25) — lead: life dates; 22nd lieutenant governor of Minnesota, 1917–1921. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Frankson [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Thomas Frankson*, Biography section (revision 1365312403, retrieved 2026-10-25) — education, real estate business, legislative service, St. Paul development and advertisement, bison and Como Park zoo, 1916 campaign. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Frankson