A New World

Jacqueline Wesner
Dr. James Buccellato
Honors 1000
28 October 2014

Henryk knew he had made the right choice to go to Chicago with his family. When he
lost all of the land he had, he couldnt provide food for his wife and children. His farming land
made him feel stable, but when he lost it, he was in ruin; he had to do something to support his
family. Once Henryk and his family arrived to Southern Chicago, he immediately felt change.
He found a job in a packinghouse and was beginning to gain his stability back. He later came to
find out that his immigration to the New World was of partial assimilation, by participating in a

wider urban society but also keeping his polish roots through the creation of small polish
communities.1
In 1918, Henryk and his wife Iwona began their journey to the Americas. Henryk farmed,
tilling the fields everyday. After the depression that hit Europe following World War 1, many
farmers were fleeing to find a better opportunity, and Henryk thought that he should as well.
Immigration was a response to industrial capitalism. He knew it wouldnt be easy, but he had to
do what was best for himself and his family. He heard of all of the employment opportunities and
he held high hopes for the future. Little did he know that his immigrating to the New World
would promote urban city growth.2 Henryk figured that after he made some wealth, he would
return with his family back to his home in Europe. As a result, Henryk sold all of his familys
possessions, besides his wife Iwonas beloved fiddle, to get a train ticket to the coast and then
sail to America.
They settled in U Pieciu Braci, a small area around Five Holy Martyrs Parish. Henryk
noted an advertisement in the Chicago Tribune that many packing firms were offering a job
diversity that required little job qualifications and minimal English and Educational skills.3 This
was his chance to start anew, away from his farming work back home. He started his job later
that week, and came to meet many other Poles who worked in the same plant he did. Henryk and
his family became part of a polish community in U Pieciu Braci, and it was just like him and his
family were back at home. Everyone in these communities were very isolated from the rest of
society, however, this familiar discourse community made Henryk and his family feel at home.
The creation of a sense of community based on traditional ways gave the Polish settlement a
1

Dominic Pacyga, Polish Immigrants and Industrial Chicago (Chicago: University of Chicago
Press), 10.
2
Witold Rybczynski, City Life. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995.
3
Orr, Richard. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 21 Nov 1948: 6.

solidarity that it needed in order to take a part in urban society.4 These communities even formed
burial groups who pooled their money when a loved one died, so he or she could be given a
proper Polish burial.5 Henryk participated in a some of these burials, and was happy to unite with
these people of Poland.
Not only was Henryk around other Poles, but also some Irish Americans. Conflict began
to arise over control of the Roman Catholic Church. 6 There wasnt segregation amongst
different races that lived in Chicago, however, this issue with Irish immigrants stood in the way
of integration. They were in a fight to take over control. Henryk felt very strongly about gaining
control with the rest of the Poles, however, he thought it best to stay out of the fighting for his
familys sake.
Not only did Henryk and his family find a better opportunity for success in America, they
also enjoyed many aspects of the entertainment industry. His wife, Iwona never had to the
opportunity to play her music for people other than her family before; she was always busy
tending the house and caring for the children. But here in Chicago, an all-womens symphony
orchestra arose, and it was the perfect opportunity for Iwona.7 This group was one of women
seeking to overcome the handicap of being barred from established orchestras. They were open
minded women, very progressive, and they gladly introduced a fiddle into the orchestra. Iwona
loved her new group of friends, but she still loved being devoted to her husband and caring for
her children.

Scott, Cord. "Polish Americans in Cities." In Encyclopedia of American Urban History, edited
by David R. Goldfield, 583-85. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2007.
5
Scott, Cord. "Polish Americans in Cities." In Encyclopedia of American Urban History, edited
by David R. Goldfield, 583-85. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2007.
6
Pacyga, Dominic. Polish Immigrants and Industrial Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 2003.
7
Kart, Larry. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 10 Feb 1985: k8.

It was very enjoyable to have some down time away from work, a very different way of
life compared to Poland. Henryk listened to the radio with his neighbors, Alesky and Celina,
tuning in on the singing OHenry Twins and The Smith Family.8 Life and leisure in America
was one of the highlights that proved a right decision to migrate.
Henryk moved to Chicago with his family in order to find a better opportunity in
employment. Along the way, him and his family assimilated to the new American culture, such
as the entertainment industry, however, they held true to their traditional ties to Poland, sticking
together with fellow Polish American immigrants and creating many polish communities.
Rather than struggling back in Europe and fighting to get food on the table for his family,
Henryk felt a sense of achievement and even some slight relief after their move to Chicago. The
difference allowed for some time away from work and time spent with family and friends,
promoting polish communities and families that stick together.

Clifford, Terry. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 04 Mar 1979: f28
David R. Goldfield, 583-85. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2007.
Dominic Pacyga, Polish Immigrants and Industrial Chicago (Chicago: University of
Chicago Press), 10.

Clifford, Terry. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 04 Mar 1979: f28

Kart, Larry. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 10 Feb 1985: k8.
Orr, Richard. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 21 Nov 1948: 6.
Scott, Cord. "Polish Americans in Cities." In Encyclopedia of American Urban History,
edited by David R. Goldfield, 583-85. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2007.
Witold Rybczynski, City Life. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995.