Andrew Boncel

A prominent member of the Milwaukee Polish community and of organized labor, he was among the first of the Milwaukee Poles to obtain political influence. As a master workman, he became a leader of the Polish Assembly, the single largest component of the Knights of Labor. In that capacity, he was involved in the massive strikes and demonstrations that shook Milwaukee from April 30-May 5, 1886. The strikes were intended to close plants and factories to force recognition of an eight-hour workday. Those demonstrations reached their high point when, on May 4, 1886, thousands of striking workers walked four-abreast down Kinnickinnic Ave to the rolling mills in Bay View. Once there, a committee headed by Andrzej Boncel entered the plant and convinced the management to shut down the factory. Unfortunately, those demonstrations ended tragically the next day, when members of the state militia fired into the crowd, killing seven people, some innocent bystanders.

Andzej Boncel was subsequently elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly (as a Democrat) to represent the 12th District in 1894. He was also the founder of the Polish-language newspaper, Orzel Bialey - White Eagle.

Relation to other profiles on the Milwaukee Polonia Project:

Uncle of Frank Boncel

Brother-in-law to Rt. Rev. Michael Domachowski

Sources

"A. H. Boncel Dead", Milwaukee Journal, October, 21, 1901, pg. 1

Fink, Leon, Workingmen's Democracy: the Knights of Labor and American Politics at pg. 208.

"Old Man Weber Tells Labor's Story in State Milwaukee Journal, August 16, 1942, p. 1.