HOW DID JOHN COME TO WORK AT MCLEOD & CO?
John Anton, when he started at McLeods, resolved to work hard and look after his family financially. Every letter breathes love and care for his two sisters and his parents.
It is not known how John came to be employed by McLeods but there is no doubt he was favoured because he was a Scot. He probably had a good recommendation from his father’s brother, also John Anton, who was Assistant Manager of the Assam Oil Company, Digboi. This John Anton had no children of his own, but took an interest in his brother William’s family, leaving the two daughters a legacy in his will. (See Appendix for John’s Uncle John)
It is also possible that he gave a recommendation to another nephew, Alec (Alexander) Anton, a younger son of his older brother, who stayed on to manage the family farm – Redhill, Rothiemay. In a letter home, John Anton says he is going to meet Alec on December 16th 1925, when his ship docks and spend an evening or so with him. Alex was in India, running tea estates in Assam, ending up at Deamoolie Tea Estate, Doom-Dooma, leaving in 1948. (See Appendix for Alec Anton)