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DEATH CALLED HIM
Michael Collins, An Old and Honored Citizen Died Yesterday

Michael Collins, whose death has been almost expected at any moment for some time past, died shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday morning.  Most of the members of his family were present, as he has been slowly, but surely, sinking for several days.

Mr Collins was born in County Clare, Ireland, in September 1822 and was, therefore, 75 years of age. In 1843 he emigrated to Canada, where he lived until 1870.  In the fall of that year he moved to Sauk Centre, Minn., and lived there until 1882, where he came to Grand Forks.  Mr. Collins was married in early life, and his wife survives him.  They were the parents of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters, of whom five are now living.  These are Stephen Collins, the well known machinery dealer of this city, James, deputy sheriff of Grand Forks County, William of Bottineau, Frank of Willow City, and Mrs. Peter Burns of Nelson County.  Mr. Collins has been an industrious, frugal and temperate man and the good habits of his early years placed him in such financial circumstances that his closing days were passed free from care, and his kindly, genial disposition kept him in touch with the active affairs and the brighter side of life until his spirit was called away.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, forenoon,  the procession leaving the house at 9:40 for St. Michael's church, where services will begin at 10 o'clock.

Obituary for Belle Crawford McLaren, Larimore Pioneer, Jan 21, 1943

Mrs. Wm. McLaren Died Tuesday

Mrs. William McLaren a long time resident of the Bachelors Grove community, died Tuesday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Cora Engh, in Grand Forks.

Mrs. McLaren had made her home with her daughter in Grand Forks since the death of her husband in April, 1941.  Her death was due to a heart ailment.

Belle Crawford was born February 8th, 1861 at Sherbrooke, Ont., and at the time of her death was 81 years of age.  She came to the United States in 1882, with her uncle, John Crawford, one of the original bachelors of the Grove community.

The deceased is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Cora Engh and Mrs. Mabel Collins of Grand Forks and Mrs. Floyd Warcup of Bremerton, Wash., eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements had not been completed at press time.

Grand Forks, ND, Monday, February 4, 1924
CITY MOURNS FOR STEPHEN COLLINS TODAY

Pioneer Resident and Prominent Businessman Died This Morning--Had Been Seriously Ill for the Last Week; Funeral Time Not Set

Stephen Collins, aged 73, pioneer resident and implement dealer of Grand Forks, died at 5:30 this morning at his home, 1104 Lewis Boulevard.

Illness incident to old age was the cause of death. Although he had been in ill health for some time past,it was only during the last week that Mr. Collins had been confined to his bed, having continued to attend to his business affairs steadily up to that time.

Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed, pending the receipt of advices from Harold Collins, a son residing in Pittsburgh, PA, as to when he will arrive here.

HIS LIFE HISTORY
Stephen Collins was born at Pakenham, Ont., in 1850. In 1870 he moved ot Sauk Center, Minn., residing for seven years. In 1877 he came to Grand Forks county and took up a claim in the Turtle River section where he resided four years.

In 1881, the death of a brother called Mr. Collins to Grand Forks City, where he entered the farm implement business. Later he formed a partnership with M.F. Murphy, and the two conducted a farm implement business for a number of years. Later Mr. Collins became the sole owner, and continued to conduct the business up to the present time, along with his sons. In addition to him implement business, he had large land interests and was a director of the First National bank of Grand Forks.
For several years, Mr. Collins was a member of the Grand Forks city council as alderman for the Sixth ward. During his term in the council he served as president of that body. Throughout his life here he took a prominent part in civic affairs. He was a member of the congreation of St. Michael's Catholic pro-cathedral, and was prominent in church affairs there.

Mr. Collins was also a member of Grand Forks Lodge of Elks, and served for several years as treasurer of that organization.

SURVIVING RELATIVES
In 1879 Mr. Colllins was married at St. Cloud, Minn., to Miss Jean Muir of Melrose, Minn.

Besides Mrs. Collins, the deceased is survived by four sons, Albert, Thomas and Raymond Collins, all of Grand Forks and Harold Collins of Pittsburgh, Pa., four daughters, Miss Mabel Collins, Mrs. George Colborn, Mrs. Ray Dryden and Mrs. J.J. Daly, all of Grand Forks and three brothers, James Collins, Grand Forks; William Collins, Bottineau and Frank Collins of Minneapolis.

He also leaves a host of friends, especially among the older residents of the city who will deeply mourn his passing.

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Grand Forks, ND, Feb, 1924

Funeral For S. Collins This Morning

Funeral services for Stephen Collins, Riverside Park, who died Monday morning after a brief illness, will be held this morning at 9:30 from St. Michael's pro-cathedral.
Pallbearers are: A.I. Hunter, J.D. Bacon, A.F. Turner, Jos. Poupore, Wm. McLaren and J.P. Kennedy.

The clearing house banks of Greater Grand Forks will be closed from 9:30 to 11 a.m today out of respect for Mr. Collins, it was announced Wednesday.
Frank Collins, a brother, of Minneapolis and Harold Collins of Pittsburgh, a son, have arrived here for the funeral.

Mr. Collins came to Grand Forks county in 1877 and to Grand Forks in 1881, at which time he entered the farm implement business. M.F. Murphy later became a partner in the business and still later Mr. Collins became sole owner.

He was a member for several years of the Grand Forks city council as alderman from the Sixth ward, a member of the congregation of St. Michael's pro-cathedral, a member of the Elks lodge of Grand Forks and took a prominent part in civic affairs of the city.

Those who knew Mr. Collins well say that we was fond of hunting and that he invariably was the life of the camp when on a hunting trip. He was for many years one of Grand Forks' substantial citizens.