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Petr Telč Timeline
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Leaving!
Because of the severe economic depression, in Bohemia, Czech Republic, I finally decided that I needed to leave and take the risk for a better life. -
Immigration - Finally!
Even though quickly packing my belongings and saying goodbye to family and relatives who went able to come was hard, I knew that I was getting closer to a better life. The only family coming with me was my wife and dog. -
Why did I do this?
Even though the food on the ship to America was indigestible, and some would rather starve, I was only able to persevere because of my hopes and desires for what I could accomplish in the west. Although the immigration experience was terrifying and difficult, the advance of steam-powered ships made the trip faster. -
New York City!
After finally arriving in The Castle Garden Immigration Station in New York City, I knew that I had made the right choice! I tried to locate some of my ancestors that had already come to America. Passing through was a long and hard process, and I was detained for one week because of a possible disease. I was lucky that I was able to pass through in the end. -
Work, Work, Work
As soon as my skill for working in factories was shown, things were not going to well. In my position, I was not able to showcase the traditions that had been successful in my past country. Lucky for me, it only took one time of filling in one of my sick friend's job for the boss to be impressed. I now make a higher wage - but the amount of work and long hours is hard and trecherous. -
Moving West
Even though started making my new life by working in industrial factories in New York City had been my dream for this point, I decided to follow the rest of the Czech and German group to Wisconsin. The work eventually got to be too much. Once we had completed the long journey, our goals were to find our religious groups, strike rick with gold, or sell crops on a farm. I beileve that this turn of a century will give me luck! -
Life on a Farm
Even though coming to the west has been a great thing for my life, working on a farm is hard. It was a hard transition from the many years of factory working. I can only hope that things can get better. -
Homestead & Enlarged Homestead Acts
Because the Homestead & Enlarged Homestead Acts were perfect timing for me, I was able to file a claim for 320 acres of federal land in Wisconsin! Being in a place surrounded by other Czechs and Germans could not have been any better. -
Being With Ancestors and Religious Groups
Because of fantastic recent inventions, I was able to find friends and family who had already made the long journey west. Connection with other Czech and German religious groups make things smoother. I know that I am one of the luckiest ones for how my experience in the west has turned out. -
An Immigrant's Dream
Thanks to the great industrialization of the west, I had been able to start the small business that I had always dreamed of. I shared that dream with many other Czech immigrants. I started a small bakery after gaining just enough money from working in the industrial business. -
A Successful Journey
As long as I have left to live, I will always know that I made the right choice. I started and raised a family, with a house and lots of land in Wisconsin. I created a successful small business that can be passed down through the future generations of my family. Moving west was definitely the right choice!
