John G. Tweeton, born May 24, 1859, in Norway, significantly contributed to the development of Barnesville, Minnesota. Emigrating to the United States in 1871 with his parents, he settled in Clay County in 1878. After working various jobs, Tweeton entered the lumber business in 1886, later retiring in 1890. Active in local politics and civic duties, he served as deputy postmaster and village recorder. Tweeton was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Druids. He passed away on February 1, 1896, leaving behind his second wife, Segred Thorvaldson, and a son from his first marriage.
John G. Tweeton, whose death occurred on February 1, 1896, at his home in Barnesville, was one of the enterprising men of the town who did much for its development and growth. He was born in Norway on May 24, 1859, and came to this country in 1871 with his parents, Gunnulf L. and Mary (Lofthus) Tweeton, who settled first in Iowa County, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1878 moved to the Red River Valley, settling at Tansem, in Clay County, Minnesota, on a tract of wild land, which they cultivated and improved, and which became the family homestead.
There were eleven children in the family, viz.: Our subject, the eldest; Rerer, who died in childhood; Ole, who lives on the homestead; Kjersti, who is married to Mr. Langass; Richmond G., a traveling salesman; Mary, the wife of Mr. O. M. Thompson; Henry G., whose sketch appears in this work; Julia, who is married to Mr. C. Hafstad; Helen, the wife of Mr. M. Hafstad, and Martin and Gine, who live on the family homestead, where the mother also resides, and where the father died in 1905, at the age of seventy-three years.
Our subject acquired his schooling in his native country, and soon after the family was settled in their new home, he began life on his own account. Going to Barnesville, he worked as a section hand on the railroad and at any work he could get whereby to earn an honest dollar.
In 1880, he entered the employ of Mr. Peter E. Thompson, a pioneer merchant of Barnesville, and after six years of faithful service, he was able to engage in business for himself. He purchased the lumber yard from Messrs. Thompson and McGrath in 1886 and conducted it with good success until 1890 when he retired from active commercial life.
Mr. Tweeton was a Republican in politics and was always more or less active in public and civic affairs, and was called to numerous positions of trust. While associated with Mr. Thompson, he served five years as deputy postmaster, and for two years was village recorder, and also served as clerk of the school district. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belonged to the A. O. W. of Druids.
Mr. Tweeton was twice married. His first wife, Nettie, née Honvold, left surviving at her decease a son, Mr. Arthur Tweeton, who is a farmer. His second wife, who after his decease became the wife of his brother, Mr. Henry G. Tweeton, was Miss Segred Thorvaldson, a native of Norway.
Mr. Tweeton was highly esteemed in the community for his manly character and public-spiritedness, and his death was universally mourned, as that of a good man and worthy citizen.
Source
C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past And Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns And Villages of the Valley From the Time of Their First Settlement And Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.