Of course, for the people, mostly men, who had been master craftsmen in Hungary, this wasn't too much of a change, because they had performed hard physical labor and were hands on and detail oriented before they left the country. As many family story goes, they were sold on the idea that the streets here were paved with Gold, thought they would make some money and go back to Hungary, and many of these men did go back and forth to Hungary, working home farms and wineries in season. Some came to the United States after working in manufacturing, including steel making, and had technical educations in Hungary before they came to the United States.
However, there were Hungarians in early America - some - and there were Hungarians who marched with Freemont when he came to California to claim it for the United States.
Hungarians who spoke German, and that was the language they went to school in once Maria Theresa instituted public education during the time when Hungary was part of the Austrian empire, could find work where Germans also worked. This was true in Texas and in New Jersey. Perhaps it's the prevailing settlement pattern.
There is nothing negative about hard work and enterprise, it's the notion that many other Americans had and still hold in some cases that the MILL HUNK is NOT INTELLIGENT. Despite the fact that factories required SKILLED LABOR, and that the working conditions were killing - split shifts and six day work weeks for starters - pollution and heat as well - and these men labored without the representation of Unions for some time - some people simply want to believe that others are less than them somehow.
These days the manufacturing that once was has left America. The Steel Belt became the Rust Belt long ago when the steel making was sent to Japan. Many sons and grandsons of MILL HUNKS have found themselves following the next new thing - computer technology. Some remain Blue Collar Workers while others have chosen college educations and white collar careers.
Be it that he's wearing a muscle shirt or is suited up, these men "clean up nice."
We are thankful to be here because of them.
C Magyar American 2013 All Rights Reserved
