Carnegie Family Arrives in Allegheny

The arrival of the Carnegie family in Allegheny marked a pivotal moment in the life of Andrew Carnegie and set the stage for his future success. Seeking better opportunities, the family moved to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where they faced economic challenges. Carnegie's father struggled to sell his products independently, which highlighted the difficulties many immigrants faced during this period. In search of stability, both Andrew and his father secured positions at Anchor Cotton Mills, a facility owned by Scottish interests. This employment was crucial for the family as it provided them with a steady income and a foothold in the local economy. Andrew Carnegie began his career as a bobbin boy at the cotton mill, a role that required him to change spools of thread for long hours, working 12-hour shifts six days a week. His starting wage was $1.20 per week, a modest sum that reflected the labor conditions of the time. This early experience in the workforce not only instilled a strong work ethic in Carnegie but also exposed him to the industrial environment that would later influence his business ventures. The challenges faced by the Carnegie family during this period were representative of the broader immigrant experience in America, where many sought to improve their circumstances through hard work and perseverance.