Langton, York, 1903-1989.

Businessman, peace advocate, and political and community activist, Langton was born in Pembina, North Dakota in 1903 and received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1928. He then entered the wholesale and retail hardware business, employed first by Marshall-Wells in Duluth, and later joining the Coast-to-Coast chain in 1938 as manager of franchises, eventually becoming vice president of the firm and establishing many stores before retiring in 1968.

As a peace activist Langton's main interest was the United Nations, particularly the United Nations Association, of which he was Minnesota chairman and a member of the national board. Through his work with the Association and similar groups, he became acquainted with many national and international figures and was instrumental in bringing many of them to Minnesota for rallies and speeches. He was also active in the Minneapolis Roundtable of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the March of Dimes, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, and various mental health groups. His many activities in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) included the chairmanship of the Hennepin County DFL, and he was an early supporter and friend of Hubert H. Humphrey. Langton died in Minneapolis in 1989.

Biographical information was taken from the papers. Additional information is found in the first folder in box 1.

From the guide to the York Langton papers., 1960-1989., (Minnesota Historical Society)