Johan Anton Lawson (1872-1902)

Jon Anton Larsson (1872-1902) was a champion cyclist known as "the terrible Swede".

Name
Also known as John Larsson and later John Lawson. He was one of two bicyclists to be known as "the terrible Swede", the other was Tille Anderson.

Parents
Lars Gustaf Larsson (1847–c1940) and Emma Sofia Sundberg (1845–1888).

Birth
He was born as "Jon Anton Larsson" in 1872 in Sweden.

Siblings
Iver Lawson.

Marriage
March 25, 1894 in Sodertajle, Sweden to Anna Kristina Jansson.

Races
He came in second in the Mälaren Runt in Stockholm, Sweden in 1893.

Typhoid fever
Chicago Tribune on July 20, 1897: "... report received last night John Lawson, the 'Terrible Swede,' was dangerously ill with typhoid fever in Baltimore, and may die. He is a professional bicycle rider ..."

Advertisement
Elliot's magazine circa 1890-1900: "Burwell Tires are daily growing in popularity with riders who appreciate speed qualities, combined with easy and perfect repair. John Lawson, the 'Terrible Swede.' writes that he [used] Burwell tires in his recent record breaking event at Salt Lake City, and found [them] the fastest that he ever rode."

Death
March 14, 1902 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Burial
He was buried in Austin, Chicago, Illinois.

Research
Researched and written by Richard Arthur Norton (1958- ) for Findagrave starting on November 6, 2013.