Your IP address is

Peter - 1-Leopold - 2-Peter - 3-Charles - 4-Sophia Bercroft in 1869 to Atkinson, Illinois

Peter Bercroft was born at St Margriete march 14th 1828 and passed away oct 12th 1919 In Kewanee, Illinois

The Bercroft family in the 1880 census in Atkinson

Father Peter was owner of the N 1/2 of the SW 1/4 (80 acres) and the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 (80 acres) makes 160 acres in section 10 in the Township of Cornwall (just S of Atkinson Village) containing 160 acres in one block = 64,74 Ha
His original name was BERGHGRACHT

1 - Leopold Bercroft
was born in St Margaret, Belgium; August 29, 1867 and died June 16 1910. He suffered long and patiently and the death angel was a welcome visitor, for the ravages of disease convinced his dear ones and friends that his relief would only come wheq, this visitant came.
 He was married September 6. 1891 to Miss Mary Philips and to this union was born two sons and four daughters, namely: Alfonse, Albert, Louisa, Rosa, Jennie and Irene. He has two brothers and one sister, also his aged father and mother left to mourn the premature departure of a good man. He was a true Catholic adherent and lived his life as a Christian and every one who knew him from boy-hood to manhood realized that his life was a perfect type of a good man in social and business circles alike "Poly" as he was known, always had a cheerful sentiment to express when he met his friends.
He was escorted to the church by the Mystic Workers and carried to the Catholic cemeterey where he was laid to rest by the side of his baby daughter who preceded him a few years ago. The entire community grieves at the loss of such a good, man when Just in the prime of manhood, but we are not to know why, and leave all to the wisdom of the God. Poly served so faithfully and well.
"Why should our tears In sorrow flow,
 When God recalls his own,
And bids him leave a world of woe,
For an immortal crown"
 Is not e'en death a gain to those
Whose life to God v. U.S given?
Gladly to earth their eyes they close.
To open them in Heaven.
His toils -ate past,
his work is done,
And he is fully blest.
He fought the tight, the victory won.
  And entered into rest.
Then let dur sorrows cease to flow;
God has recalled his own;
But let our hearts in this great woe,
Still say "Thy will be done."

2- PETER BERCROFP RETIRED FARMER OF ATKINSON, IS CALLED BY DEATH

Peter Bercroft of Atkinson age 94 years, a retired farmer died in his home at 12:31 Sunday morning following serious illness of a week. He had been failing in health for the last twenty years.

He was born In Belgium April 19 1865 son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bercroft sr. He came to America at the age of 4 years and since that time has lived in and around Annawan and Atkinson. His mother died in 1869 and his father died in 1919. In 1893 he married Sylvia VanVooren, of Annawan. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic church. Surviving are the widow; three daughters; Mrs. Caeser Hudders and Mrs Mell Brawl of Atkinson and Margaret Bercroft who resides in the family home, a sister Mrs. Peter Billiet of Annawan a stepsister Miss August Hoogerwerf of Moline; a brother Charles Bercroft of Moline, a stepbrother Ed Vereruysse of Geneseo. and five grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Tuesday morning in St Anthony's Catholic church with the Rev. Alphons VanWyngaerd officiating. Burial was In Atkinson Catholic cemetery.

3- Charles E. Bercroft - Former Atkinson Native Succumbs

Charles E. Bercroft, 85, a resident of Shady Lawn Rest Home the last three years and formerly of Rock Island, died Thursday evening, August 30. in St Anthony's hospital, where he had been a patient a week.The funeral was Saturday morning in St. Joseph's Catholic church Rock Island and burial was in Calvary cemetery there. Mr Bercroft was born December 13, 1876 in Atkinson a son of Mr and Mrs Peter Bercroft. He attended schools in the Atkinson area, and moved fo Rock Island from Atkinson in 1918. On June 5 1919, he married Marion Bridget Knight in Rock Island. She died march 8, 1959. Mr Bercroft was a member of St. Joseph's church. He was employed for several years as a ticket taker at the Fart Theater. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Nellie Record of Sharon, Pennsylvania, two stepsons, William McClone of Port Byron and Edward McClone in West Africa: five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren His wife a stepson, four half brothers and two half sisters preceded him in death.

4- Sophia Bercroft
was born at St Margeret, Belgium jul 12th 1863 and passed away march 16 1945 in Annawan. She wasmarried to Peter Billiet;
source: The Geneso Republic oct 17th 1919
source: The Geneso Republic jun 24th 1910
source: The Geneso Republic april 24th 1931
source: The Geneso Republic sept 6th 1962