Adam Bartosz, one of twelve children of Ferdynand (1861-1943) and Bronislawa Wozowicz (1864-1926) Bartosz, was born 13 January 1894 in Gora Robczycka, Galicja or Austrian Poland. Due to a serious accident he had only a few years of formal schooling in Poland but was an avid reader. His first poetry was published when he was twelve years old. Bartosz arrived in the United States in 1913, and settled in the Baltimore area. He attended high school at night (graduating in 1927) and in 1931 earned a law degree at the University of Baltimore. That same year Bartosz started a law office in Baltimore. However, Bartosz's main interest was journalism and creative writing. In 1916 he became editor of the Polish-language journal Postep (Progress), and from 1921 to 1937 he edited the Jednosc-Polonia (Unity-Polonia). Bartosz took a position on the editorial board of the Stevens Point, Wisconsin newspaper Gwiazda Polarna (Polar Star) and its associated journal, Rolnik (Farmer) in October 1937. He succeeded Paul Klimowicz of Wausau as editor-in-chief in 1954. In that capacity, Bartosz continued the paper's long tradition of service to Polish immigrants in the United States. Bartosz stressed the Gwiazda Polarna's many duties: to acquaint immigrants with American laws, history and customs; to help in construction of parochial schools, churches, and hospitals; to help immigrants learn English; and to stress involvement in civic and cultural organizations. Bartosz also initiated and wrote the column “Talks of the Grandpa” as a platform for discussion of issues of all types. He retired from the Gwiazda Polarna in 1973.
In addition to his journalistic career, Bartosz was active in several Polish cultural and fraternal groups, among them the Polish National Alliance, which he joined in 1923, and the Sokol (Polish Falcons). He continued his interest in poetry and writing, and in 1934 published a collection of his poems, Szara Godzina (At the Twilight). Bartosz published poetry at other times in periodicals and newspapers, and also published a three-act play. In addition, he taught classes in Polish and English, and studied Esperanto.
In 1918 Bartosz married Wanda Biedron (d. 1928); the couple were the parents of three children, Robert, Wallace, and Mira. In 1929 Bartosz married Bronislawa (Bernice) Dombrowski; their son was Jerome. Bronislawa Bartosz also played an important role in the production of the Gwiazda Polarna. For twenty-two years she was editor of the women's page of the newspaper, and in addition, she proofread the galley proofs. Both of the Bartoszes maintained an active interest in Polish culture and language, and assisted Polish refugees and immigrants whenever possible. Adam Bartosz died on 19 July 1980; he was survived by his widow.
