My grandfather left Austria (Galacia) by rail, at night, in a freight car to avoid conscription in the Kaiser's army. He joined the stream of people leaving the political and economic chaos of the late 19th century Europe for the emerging industrial society of northeast United States.

He married after his arrival and sired four children. My father, Walter, was born in Ambridge in 1906.

Grandmother's Polish was the language at home but  German was his personal choice. English was used for business dealings and conversation with the grandchildren.