The Joseph Cantees Family of Williamson, West Virginia in 1932
As remembered by Abe J. Bassett
I loved this family and this photo. On occasional visits to their home, Joseph allowed me to play backgammon with him, and Aunt Helena frequently gave me a piece of dried apricot or other food treat. They treated me with great kindness and that attitude was characteristic of all their family.
All of the children worked at the Cantees Department Store on East Third Avenue across from the train freight depot. My family were frequent buyers. On Monday morning, December 8th, 1941, my father took me to the Cantees store to purchase two pairs of shoes, which surprised me. Papa had apprenticed as a cobbler and knowing the importance of shoes and that they might be scarce during a war—and also knowing how fast a young boy could wear out shoes—thought it prudent to buy two pairs.
This photo, taken in 1932, shows the family elegantly dressed.
Standing from left to right are:
Esma (1914-2005), Saber (1917 -2002), Rose Mary (1909 – 1999) and Abe (1911-2011).
Seated from left to right are:
Katherine (1920-1973), Josephine (1923-2007), Joseph A, 1869-1956), Robert Tannel (1929-1996),
Helena Michael (1891-1977), Alice (1923-1967) and Louise (1928-1991).
As remembered by Abe J. Bassett
I loved this family and this photo. On occasional visits to their home, Joseph allowed me to play backgammon with him, and Aunt Helena frequently gave me a piece of dried apricot or other food treat. They treated me with great kindness and that attitude was characteristic of all their family.
All of the children worked at the Cantees Department Store on East Third Avenue across from the train freight depot. My family were frequent buyers. On Monday morning, December 8th, 1941, my father took me to the Cantees store to purchase two pairs of shoes, which surprised me. Papa had apprenticed as a cobbler and knowing the importance of shoes and that they might be scarce during a war—and also knowing how fast a young boy could wear out shoes—thought it prudent to buy two pairs.
This photo, taken in 1932, shows the family elegantly dressed.
Standing from left to right are:
Esma (1914-2005), Saber (1917 -2002), Rose Mary (1909 – 1999) and Abe (1911-2011).
Seated from left to right are:
Katherine (1920-1973), Josephine (1923-2007), Joseph A, 1869-1956), Robert Tannel (1929-1996),
Helena Michael (1891-1977), Alice (1923-1967) and Louise (1928-1991).