Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-29
A Biographical Sketch.

years. (Mr. Pollasky Sr. was a
former old resident of Detroit.
Father of Nj. Pollasky, of Alma,
Mich. and grandfather of Marcus
Pollasky formerly of Mich. now of
California.
Michael Pollasky ST.. was born
in Terstena, Hungary, March 9th,
1909. He was one of a large family
of children, nine sons and one
daughter. His father was Right
Honorable, a highly educated man,
widely known and respected through
out his whole country for his phil.
anthropic generosity and charities,
also as councillor, being considered
in his day one of the "Wise men"
or seers of his country to whom the
people locked from Ear and near to
receive the benefits of his advice and
councils. NJ. Pollasky Sr.'s brothers
were also all men renowned through
out Hungary and Austria, being
professional men and extensive
manufacturers. In his early youth
he was apprenticed to his brothers
in large linen print works, a pro-
fession which he adopted and fol-
lowed and in whicd he became so
proficient that his services were a
matter Of competition between the
different manufacturers. frequently
availing for him a salary equal to
that of five ordinary superintendent
in his line of business.
Physically he was veritable
Sampson with a wonderful power
Of endurance. He had a remarkable
constitution, never knew fatigue
and was sick but once in his life.
Politically, he was a.: Hungarian,
loyalist and ariot and during the
Hungarian Revolution, which under
took to throw off the oppressive
Austrian yoke, he took sides with
the unhappy and oppressed country.
His only son Michael Pol
lasky (now of Alma though of q
tender age, volunteered his service S
in the Hungarian cause, for which
act, after the exile of General Kosulh
the defeated and broken hearted
"Washington of Hungary" the
father was called to account. Fearing
for the safety of his son and to avoid
further prosecutions to which the de-
feated patriots were being objected,
he closed out his business, sold his
realty interests and with his entire
belongings, accompanied by small
band of friends, similarly situated,
he followed the fortunes of the
Kosuth in his exile, to that "haven
of refuge" to all liberty loving pat
riots-under the Stars and Stripes.
The little party landed in this
country, in New York haroor, after
a severe and stormy voyage across
the Atlantic in small sailing vessel,
occupying three long months of
hardships and struggle. a curious
coincidence connected with their ar
rival was that it was on the
nations great anniversary of liberty
the 4,h of July, 1856. Consequently
this little band OF exiles seeking a
refuge from the prosecutions of the
Austrian yoke were greeted with
the booming of cannon, ringing of
bells and general jubilee throughout
the land, how could they help but
feel that Liberty extended them the
hand Of welcome and Of fellowship.
Like the Pilgrim fathers" their
hearts and souls went up in one
grand prayer Of thanksgiving to the
Almighty whose protecting hand
had led them here.
Most all of the little party after a
short sojourn in New York, settled
in Detroit, Mich, where several, who
survived the sickle of time, still re-
side. Here, Michael Pollasky Sr.
resided until 1885 NEARLY 80 years.
one Of the best known and respected
citizens, his great good nature won
for him warm friends wherever he
was known, but never an enemy,
He was very remarkable in his
habits and principles, honest and
c~..1t Z. \. =