The Elegeert / Elegreet Brothers
of Belgium
and Gladstone, Michigan

---

The Elegeert Brothers -
         Constant, John and Peter

         The Elegeert brothers, Constant, John and Peter came to America in the early 1900's. They left their home of Stekene, Belgium and settled in the northern Wisconsin and in the Upper Penninsula areas of Michigan. The Gladstone/Upper Penninsula areas were attractive to the immigrants as these areas were rich in copper mines. Copper mines meant jobs which were not plentiful in Belgium at that time.
        According to the Ellis Island Immigrant records, John was the first brother to arrive in America. He is listed as being 31 years old when he arrived in the U.S. in 1902. John's place of residence is listed as Sinay, Belgium.
        Peter was the next brother to arrive in May of 1903 at the age of 26. His residence is listed as Stehenen (Stekene), Belgium. Peter travelled alone and left his wife and children in Belgium until they were sent for in October of 1903.
        Constant was the last brother to arrive in America. He is shown as arriving in 1907 at the age of 32. His residence is listed as Sinay, Belgium. Constant's arrival to the U.S. is mentioned in a Gladstone Centennial History Book (1887-1987) and is written by Constant's son Charles' wife, June Elegreet:

         "Constant Elegreet (in Belgium the name was Elegheer) was born in Sinay (correct spelling of town is: Sinaai) , Belgium, 15 Dec. 1874. He married the former Marie (Mary) DeCooman in 1898 in Brussels. Marie was born in Aspelarie, Belgium, 11 June 1873.
         Constant came to America in the early 1990's, where he meet his two brothers Pete and John, who had sent for him to join them. He left his family consisting of his wife, two children Frank and Germaine to wait in Belgium until he was able to send for them in 1908.
         After the family arrived in America they lived a while in Superior, Wisconsin, where another son, Charles was born. They later moved to Denver, Colorado, where they ran a sugar beet farm. Around 1919 the family moved to Gladstone, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Constant worked for the Soo Line Railroad and Northwestern Copperage Company. He died on 30 May 1944, and Marie, 29 Sept. 1949..."

Photo is of Constant and Marie Elegreet May of 1960 In Belgium