nton Anderson was a New Zealand immigrant who was born in Upper Moonlight, New Zealand in 1892 of a Swedish father and an Irish mother. He worked at gold mining with his father in his hometown of Upper Moonlight and was educated there.

With his brother, Anton entered the United States in 1914. They went to work as surveyors in Hoquiam, Washington. Anton took his engineer examinations at Seattle University and passed with flying colors. He came to Anchorage in 1917 to work for the Alaskan Engineering Commission, surveying and engineering much of the railroad line and the original townsite of Anchorage.

Anton Anderson was the location engineer for the Matanuska Colonization Project and principal engineer for the United States Army in Alaska during World War II. He participated in the construction of the Eklutna hydroelectric project. His crowning touch was as chief engineer for the Whittier Tunnel project, which was named and dedicated in his honor in 1976. He was called “Mr. Alaska Railroad” and often said: “I think I walked over more of Alaska than any man since Alfred Brooks.” [The explorer for whom the Brooks Range is named.]

Anton was married to Alma Menge in Williston, North Dakota in 1927. He was active in Anchorage public service, serving on the City Council. He was also chairman of the Public Utilities Commission and was appointed to fill out the term of Mayor Hinchey in 1956. He was elected as mayor the following year, however he was forced to resign early due to ill health. Alma was an honored artist and was listed in Who’s Who in American Art in 1957.

The marriage produced three daughters; Jean, Patricia and Shelby. Jean Anderson Graves had four children, Eric B., Gary Anton, Kathleen Graves Moore and Sheila Graves Pennell. Patricia Menge Anderson had three children, Anton J., Dan Christian and Tracy Jean. Shelby Menge Argen had one daughter, Jennifer Anne. Anton passed away in Mt. Vernon, Washington in 1960, and Alma died in 1972. They are both buried in Hoquiam, Washington.