LEON JAMES McCOLLOR b. 2/2/1869 in Solon, ME d. 3/1/1938 at Barrett. MN. at the age of 69.  m. 11/20/1894 (95?),  at St. Paul, MN to Rose McDonnell	Leon James McCollor, known to his family as L.J., was the fifth child of Peter McCollor and Margaret McGarrity McCollor. Like his older siblings, he too was born in Solon, Maine, arriving on February 22, 1869, and would also say Goodbye to his grandfather, Patrick, and uncles, aunts and cousins, and would board a train to Minnesota in 1878. He was nine years old, and one can imagine, full of dreams and enthusiasm for the great adventure of "going west". They arrived in Morris, Minnesota, where their father met them. L.J. was said to have been quite close to his father, and according to Peter's journals, the two spent much time together as L.J. was growing up.  When his older brother, Ernest, moved away, L.J. became invaluable to his father at the family farm. He learned much about "doctoring" from Peter, and was said to be very quick to learn about medical and veterinary matters.   L.J. appears to have been a very hard and capable worker. He not only took on a great deal of work at the farm by his mid teens, and even worked for the neighbors. He was a big boy for his age, as far as muscle went, but would not grow to be as tall as some of his brothers.  Like his father and brothers, he "never shrecked his responsibilities when it came to work or fight"*. He and his brother Ulay were moonshiners and frequently "sampled the wares".  Quality control was important after. all! His family remembered him for his storytelling and his sense of humor, and according to Stigman and McCollor* there are more stories about L.J. than about any other of the McCollor/McGarrity siblings.	ROSE McDONNELL b. 10/11/1871 at Shieldsville, MN dau. of JAMES (1828-1905) & ROSE ANN McDONNELL (1832-1874) d.  3/31/1938 at Barrett, MN at the age of 66 years.
He excelled in hunting, and was said to be an expert shot. Wether it was the fact he was left-handed, or just plain lucky, as some of his brothers insisted, he was the best shot in the family. He also liked to fish.  L.J. was an avid dancer, enjoying a good barn dance with his siblings, or cutting loose at a house party. He was said to be handsome, and was popular amongst the ladies.  When he was about 24 years old, he moved out on his own, to St. Paul, MN, where he worked as a cable car man on Selby Avenue. GREENER PASTURES  It was here that he met his future wife, Rose McDonnell. They were married November 20, 1894.  She was born in Brandon, MN.  Their first living child - apparently they lost at least one child although the records I have are not clear - was Jesse Margaret McCollor, born 1/13/1899.  She is listed as "Jessai M." in the 1900 census.  Taking his new family back home, Leon returned to farming very closely located near his father's farm, on what was called the "Bjerke Farm". Life was good for them, but his partying ways were not necessarily over. His father records in a journal on May 13, 1900, that L.J. held a large "plowing bee" on his farm, complete with a keg of beer. Peter noted "they all had a good time".  Peter himself did not get home until midnight.  At least two of their children died in infancy, a tragedy that must have been very difficult for L.J. and Rose. They were said to have died of the flu or in childbirth.  Besides Jesse, one other child survived infancy, and that was Gertrude Mary. She was born July 9, 1904.  Unfortunately, no names or dates are recorded. A KIND MAN REMEMBERED L.J.  was remembered as a very kind man, who would jump up on a moment's notice to help a neighbor or friend. A story is recounted in the Stigman/McCollor book* of L.J. ignoring the dangers of a Minnesota blizzard to fetch a doctor for a woman in labor. In the blinding snow he ran into a haystack, but somehow managed to accomplish his mission and the baby was delivered. This was the woman's tenth child, and L.J. is said to have commented to the father, "I think you better stop having any more"! In 1920 at the time of the census, Leon was farming. Living with them was a 60 year old Sweedish immigrant hired hand named George Nystedt, and 19 year old farmhand Charles McDonnell. I don't know if there is a relation between Rose and Charles. Charles stayed with them for at least ten more years, showing up on the 1930 census as well. In 1930 Charles is listed as a "boarder" at the McCollor home, working at what appears to read "Cream Station". At that time Gertrude is still unmarried and living at home. Gertrude married later that year. In 1923, in his early 50's, L.J. quit farming. He moved to Barrett, MN, worked in a related trade, thrashing, for a few years, and also worked building roads. At the time of the 1930 census he was working as a road grader for the county. Later on in the 1930's, he worked in a general store, where he was assigned the task of "candling eggs". In his non-working hours, L.J. still told his stories, sitting on a bench in front of a bank on Main Street, Barrett. It is noted by Stigman and McCollor* that even today, his stories are passed down through the families of schoolchildren, who stopped to be revelled by Mr. McCollor's stories.  Clair Nelson, who provided much of the information on Leon to Stigman and McCollor*, says in her essay, "I guess that I am no exception, because I still enjoy hearing and telling them. L.J. left us his humor and stories of his heritage and that we can be thankful for".  He was buried at St. Annes Cemetery in Brandon, MN, after his death on March 1, 1938. Rose died later that same month on the 31st, and his buried beside him. Pictured below left  is Leon's daughter "Gertrude". Photo courtesy Kevin McCollor. Research notes: the 1930 census shows a 30 year old single "boarder" named Charles McDonnel living with the family. His profession is given as a laborer. The family is living in a home they own, valued at $300 in 1930.  Gertrude McCollor Click on photo for actual size   Rose's father, James McDonnell Click on photo for actual size Click on photo for actual size Roseville Township showing the L. McCollor parcel in the lower right quadrant of box #14 Transcription of obituary for Elizabeth Bornhoft, as printed in Inforum, Fargo-Moorhead, 10/3/2002   ELIZABETH BORNHOFT, 71, Fergus Falls, died Monday, Sept 30, 2002, in Broen Memorial Home, Fergus Falls.   Elizabeth Brown was born Oct. 15, 1930, in Grant Co., MN. She grew up and attended school in Herman, MN. On June 25, 1952, she married William Forcier. They farmed near Herman until his death.  In 1972 she married Vernon Bornhoft. They lived in Fergus Falls, where she worked for the State Hospital until her retirement.  He preceeded her in death. She entered the nursing home in 1998.   She is survived by a son, Michael (Dianne) Forcier, Fargo; two daughters, Kathryn Forcier, Minneapolis, Mary McCray, Lost Angelos, and five grandchildren. Burial Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton.  Rose with her sister Mary and her brother James c. 1913 Click for actual size L.J. McCollor: a timeline 1869 Leon McCollor born in Solon, ME 1878 Family moved to Morris, MN 1893 Left home to work in St. Paul, MN 1894 Married Rose McDonnell 1894-99 Dates unknown. Lost two infants 1899 Jessie born 1904 Gertrude born 1923 Retired from farming, moved to Barrett, MN 1923 - 1930's worked various trades 1938 Leon and Rose pass away within days of each other.

BABY McCOLLOR b. 8/18/1897 at St. Paul, MN d. ?

BABY McCOLLOR no dates or circumstances known, chid does not show in 1900 census.

JESSIE MARGARET McCOLLOR b. 1/13/1899 at St. Paul, MN d. 8/17/1972 at Barrett, MN at the age of 73.  m. 11/13/1923 at ? Grant Co., MN WILLIAM HENRY BROWN, b. 10/13/1881 at _? d.1/4/1963 See grave markers for some of this family at CEMETERY PROJECT.   WILLIAM BROWN was the son of son of ___? and ALICE CARY BROWN (b. Ireland 1848 - 1926)    Research Note: The 1930 census, taken 4/11/1930 shows the young family living in a rented home in Lien Township, Grant Co., with little Josephine and Howard, and William working as a farmer. We find out from this census that William's father was born in Minnesota and his mother was a native of Northern Ireland.

JOSEPHINE BROWN b. 8/23/1926 at Herman, MN. Waitress.  d. 7/8/1983 at Wheaten, MN at the age of 56. m. 5/5/1951 at Herman, MN to JOHN BUSENGA, Jr.  b. 7/29/1920 at Herman, son of JOHN SR. AND RINNIE BUSENGA. d. ? Railroad worker.   Note: I have several photos of Busenga grave markers HERE   DAVID JOHN BUSENGA b. & d. ? BABY GIRL BUSENGA (twin) b. & d. ? BABY BOY BUSENGA (TWIN) b. & d. ? JAMES JOSEPH BUSENGA b.& d. ? HOWARD WILLIAM BROWN b. 8/8/1927 at ? d. 3/18/1991 at Hennepin Co., MN (was a veteran, is buried at Ft. Snelling Cemetery) m. __/__/__? at __? to DOROTHY ____? b. ? dau. of ? d. ? at ? ELIZABETH JANE BROWN b. 10/15/1930 at Barrett, MN   d.  9/30/2002 at Fergus Falls, MN (see obit above) m (1). 6/25/1952 at Herman, MN to WILLIAM ELIAS FORCIER b. 10/12/1912 at Bird Island, MN, d. 4/10/1970 at Wheaton, MN, son of FRED and MARY FORCIER. Farmer. m (2). 7/29/1972 at Dumont, MN to VERNON LEROY BORNHOFT, b. ? at ?  d. previous to 2002, at ? son of ? . NO CHILDREN BORN OF THIS MARRIAGE.   Research notes: Elizabeth's obit mentions 5 grandchildren, I don't know to which child they were born. Elizabeth farmed alongside her first husband, then worked in Food Service at State Hospital until retirement. Entered a nursing home in 1998.    MICHAEL FORCIER b. & d. ? residing Fargo, ND as of 2002.  m. ? at ? DIANNE ___? b. ? d.? dau.of ? KATHRYN FORCIER b. & d. ? residing at Minneapolis, MN as of 2002. m. ? MARY FORCIER McCRAY b. & d. ?  m. ?  at ?  to ___ McCRAY. b. ? d. ? son of ? Residing Los Angelos, CA as of 2002       ALICE (LOUISE?) MARY BROWN b. 10/26/1934 at ?  d.  11/10/1995 at Anoka Co., MN at the age of 61 m (1). ? at ? to __?__ SHOLES , b. & d ? son of ___ SHOLES? m (2). ? at ? to RONALD PEIKERT, b & d. ? son of _____ PEIKERT?

CLICK HERE TO PRINT TABLE

GERTRUDE MARY McCOLLOR b. 7/9/1904 at Roseville Township, MN d. ? at ?  m(1). 6/12/1930 at Brandon., MN to HALVER LEE, b. 8/29/1888 at _? son of ? m.(2)  information not known.

ROSE ANN LEE  b. 1/2/1932 at ___? Douglas Co., MN d. ? at ? m(1). 1(or 5?)/6/1954 in Douglas Co., MN to GENE MALONEY b. 10/16/1923 in Douglas Co., d. 10/7/1978 at Alexandria, MN, son of JOHN and ANN MALONEY. m(2). 3/9/1894 at ? to ED SIVIGNY, b. & d. ? son of ?  GLADYS MAE LEE b. 1/31/1932 at __?, Douglas Co., MN   d. ? at ? m. 2/1/1955 to JOHN HIEM, b.  and d.  ? son of ? ARNOLD LEON LEE b. 1/17/1938 at Evansville, MN   d. ? a ? m. 7/4/1964 at ? to JOYCE PIPER, b. ? d. ? dau. of ?  ROGER WILLIAM LEE b. 6/28/1940 at Evansville, MN.   d. 1/28/1945 at ? at just 4 years old. DENNIE JOHN LEE b.  7/30/1941 at Evansville, MN   d. 8/3/1941  at __?  DONALD EDWARD LEE b. 9/14/1943 at Evansville, MN  d. ? at ? m. 2/1/1969 at ? to SUSAN JOHNSON, b. 12/22/1950, d. ?, dau. of GORDON AND LUCY JOHNSON. LINDA MAE (or MARGARET?) LEE b. 5/21/1949 at Evansville, MN  d. ? at ?   m. 3/15/1969 at ? to DONALD KRUEGER b. ? d. ? son of ?

CLICK HERE TO PRINT TABLE