He invented the safety valve for locomotives but unfortunately was not patented by him.
He was one of the first Polish pioneers to settle in Chicago.
In 1873 he established the "Gazeta Polska", the first Polish weekly newspaper in America.
He and wife Alebertina had eight children: Casimir, Angela, Wanda, Edwin, Leon Washington, Mary, Yadwiga, and Matthew.
He and wife Alebertina had nineteen grandchildren.
One of the Holy Trinity Church organizers founded in 1872.
He contributed to the creation of the Polish National Alliance .
He was an activist of the American Polonia .
He enjoyed singing, and in particular the song "Marseillaise", which he sang in the French for the whole throat.
During the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, he opened his home to victims.
The first movie in motion picture history filmed on location in Chicago, Illinois, Call Northside 777 (1948) starring James Stewart, landmarks appear repetitively throughout the film ~ including the Holy Trinity Church ~ which he contributed in it's organizational efforts.