Biography
Andrey Chigraev was born in Russia. Worked as a miner, laborer. Immigrated to the United States in 1913.
Belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church before emigrating to the United States in 1913; his wife remained in Russia. After joining the Ukrainian Branch of the Socialist Party of America in 1918, he became a member of the Monessen, Pennsylvania branch of the Union of Russian Workers in 1919. An undercover officer reported that Chigraev actively participated in political debates focused on socialism and anarchism, and Chigraev admitted to anarchist beliefs. Arrested while on strike at the mill where he was employed and was subsequently deported on the Buford on December 21, 1919.
The congressional digest of Buford deportation cases lists Andy Chigraeff as arrested in Greensburg, PA on November 21, 1919. This is the digest’s immigration-arrest entry; it does not establish an uninterrupted period of detention.
Congressional hearings, April 21–24, 1920, Appendix B, printed p. 151.
