He was born in Galena, Illinois, in a Polish-American family (origin family's name was Schwałka, as he once signed), and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1871.
He was born in Galena, Illinois, in a Polish-American family (origin). Family's name was Schwałka. He once signed origin. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1871.