Piotr Cerbin was born in Wronczyn, Pozan, Poland, on June 8, 1864. His parents were Joannes (Jan) Cerbin and Malgorzata Nogaj. He was christened on June 13, 1864, in Wronczyn, Poznan, Poland.

Piotr came to America on the ship Hermann, with his wife Maryanna, and their son Anthony, their last name was listed as Cerbin. The ship left from Bremen, Germany and arrived in the port of Baltimore, Maryland on April 30, 1891. Traveling with them on the same ship were his brother Antoni Cerbin and his wife Maryanna Cerbin. (Antoni & Maryanna Cerbin's names were also listed on the passenger list as Cerbin. They went to Detroit, Michigan to live and in America they went by the spelling Serbin.)

Peter went by the name Serbin when he arrived in Chicago in 1891 up until about 1909. At that time some other people by the name Serbin moved into the Chicago area who were not related, so to avoid confusion, he went to the priest in the church and asked to have the spelling of his name changed to Cerbin.

Peter became a Citizen of the United States on October 15, 1896, the paperwork has him listed him as being from Germany, with his name spelled Peter Serbin.

In the 1900 Census, he is listed as Peter Serbin, renting at 1003 West 18th Place, Twp. West Town, Chicago, Ill. His occupation was listed as Moulder of Iron.

In the 1910 Census, he is listed as Peter Cerbin, renting at 2139 West 18th Place, in the 12th Ward, Chicago, Ill. His occupation was listed as Head caretaker of horses, for the City of Chicago.

In the 1920 Census, he is listed as Peter Cerbin, renting at 2101 19th Street, in the 11th Ward, Chicago, Ill. His occupation was listed as laborer for the city of Chicago, Ill.

In the 1930 Census, he is listed as Peter Cerbin, renting at 1941 West 21st Place, in the 21st Ward, Chicago, Ill. His occupation was listed as street sweeper for the sanitation department of Chicago.

Peter was a laborer for the city of Chicago, Ill. for 25 years. During that time he had several different jobs such as head caretaker of the horses, street sweeper, and a guard of the wagons which the horses pulled to collect garbage. He also did some construction work. In 1907, He was part of the crew who erected the large mahogany cross statue and placed a plaque at the end of Damon Ave. where it meets the Chicago River. To commemorate the spot where of French-Canadian fur trader Louis Joliet and French Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette landed and camped for the winter 1674-1675, during their exploration of America.

At the time of his death he was living at 1946 West Cullerton, Chicago, Ill. where he passed away from stomach cancer on April 2, 1933. His funeral services were at St. Ann Church, at 10:00 A.M. on April 5, 1933, he was buried at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles, Cook Co., Illinois.

If anyone one has more information about him or has any more pictures of him, or would like to make any corrections, please e-mail me at [email protected]

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