In the June 16, 1887 Grand Forks/East Grand Forks tornado, Ed O’Connor’s saloon and store were damaged.
Edward O’ Connor, deceased. In the death of Mr. O’Connor, Grand Forks county and the state of North Dakota lost a most exemplary citizen, a man of public spirit, and a gentleman in whose public and private life are found those evidences of the highest traits of man’s character.
Mr. O’Connor came to Grand Forks county from Canada in 1883. For a time he was engaged in the saloon business in the city, but in 1889 he purchased a farm in Americus township, where he made his home and engaged in farming until the time of his death. He was an enterprising and successful agriculturist, and added to his holdings until his landed estates comprised eight hundred acres. He also owned a brick block in the city of Grand Forks, erected by him in 1885. His farm property was equipped with all modern facilities for conducting agriculture on modern lines, and his home was surrounded by all the comforts of country life.
Mr. O’Connor took an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and at the time of his death was serving his second term as county commissioner. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all, regardless of political lines, and his integrity, sense of justice, and upright life won to him the respect and regard of all men of worth in the county.
Mr. O’Connor was married in Ontario, Canada, to Miss Nora Lane. Mrs. O’Connor was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and was reared to womanhood in Canada. To this union were born the following children, now living: Mary, Michael M., William V., Thomas J., Stephen L., Charles A. and James F. Of the deceased children, Edward J. died in Grand Forks, February 4, 1894, aged twenty-five years. At the time of his death, and for some years prior to that time, he held the position of teller in the Union National Bank, of Grand Forks. Raymond P. died at the age of five months. Mr. O’Connor’s family joined him in Grand Forks in 1884, coming from Canada the year following his arrival in the county.
Few men have been so universally esteemed and held in high regard, and few men have left so deep an impression upon the public policy of a county as did Mr. O’Connor. His death occurred January 30, 1894. (Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1900, Page 992)
Death of Edward O’Connor. The death of County Commissioner Edward O’Connor, which occurred yesterday morning, came as a shock to the entire community. Mr. O’Connor had been suffering from the prevalent malady for several weeks, but it was believed until two or three days ago, that he was improving and would recover from the dread malady. The funeral will take place from St. Michael’s church Thursday at 10 a. m. Mr. O’Connor was one of Grand Forks’ pioneer citizens and has been a resident of the city most of the time for the past fifteen years. For several years past he has served the county very acceptably as county commissioner, and has been a faithful and zealous official. His age was 47 years. He leaves a widow and eight children, one daughter, Mrs. C. P. Trepanier, and seven sons, all of whom are at home. The afflicted family have the profound sympathy of the entire community in their great loss. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, January 31, 1894, Volume 13, Number 79, Page 4)