James G. Kotsianas
Files
Dublin Core
Title
James G. Kotsianas
Subject
Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
Description
Photograph of James G. Kotsianas.
A native of Kalesmenon, Greece, James was the proprietor of the New York Restaurant on Court Square in Woodstock, Virginia, from 1922-1947. He was known locally as “Jimmy the Greek”.
We are unsure of the year that James first immigrated to the United States, but by August 1929, he had a U.S. passport indicating he was already a naturalized citizen. He made trips back to Greece when he could because his wife and children still lived there. His wife was Konstando (Ligdis) Kotsianas. She was the daughter of a Greek Orthodox Priest, Father George Ligdis. The couple’s two youngest sons, Theophanis (Frank) and John, were conceived during these home visits. James brought his oldest son, George, a 16-year old student, back to the United States with him in 1934. He had a daughter, Evanthia, as well.
James first opened the restaurant in Woodstock in 1922 and it was located in the Locke building in its early days. Then, it was moved across the street and into the old Holtzman Hotel building where it remained and operated until it closed. In 1929, a partnership was formed between James Kotsianas, Pete Blentson (who may have been his cousin), George Pappas (who may have been related to Pete’s wife), and two other Greek men. The 1930 census in April found all five living together on Main Street and working as waiters in a restaurant.
Over the years, James’s partners were bought out and by 1938, he and “Chef” Bentson were the sole proprietors of the popular restaurant.
James returned to Greece shortly after the Italians invaded Greece in 1940. Local newspapers reported that he went back to fight for Greece and was captured there. We do not know much about his years there, but he was probably unable to return to the U.S. until after the war ended.
During James’s absence, his son, George, remained in the U.S. and became a U.S. citizen and registered for the WWII draft during this time. After he graduated from Massanutten Military Academy (MMA), he continued to helped operate the New York Restaurant.
James returned to the United States in 1946. When he arrived in New York, he brought his wife, “Konstante”, 19-year old son, “Theophanis”, and his youngest, 16-year old John. Their final destination was Knoxville, Tennessee, however, the family first went to Woodstock where his son, Frank, attended Massanutten Military Academy for at least a year. James sold his share of the New York Restaurant to his partner, Pete Blentson, in 1947. James and his family then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee.
He spent his last years in Knoxville, his family around him, where he operated “The Garden” Restaurant with his oldest son, George “Consin”. When he died, it was reported that his mother and sisters were still in Greece.
A native of Kalesmenon, Greece, James was the proprietor of the New York Restaurant on Court Square in Woodstock, Virginia, from 1922-1947. He was known locally as “Jimmy the Greek”.
We are unsure of the year that James first immigrated to the United States, but by August 1929, he had a U.S. passport indicating he was already a naturalized citizen. He made trips back to Greece when he could because his wife and children still lived there. His wife was Konstando (Ligdis) Kotsianas. She was the daughter of a Greek Orthodox Priest, Father George Ligdis. The couple’s two youngest sons, Theophanis (Frank) and John, were conceived during these home visits. James brought his oldest son, George, a 16-year old student, back to the United States with him in 1934. He had a daughter, Evanthia, as well.
James first opened the restaurant in Woodstock in 1922 and it was located in the Locke building in its early days. Then, it was moved across the street and into the old Holtzman Hotel building where it remained and operated until it closed. In 1929, a partnership was formed between James Kotsianas, Pete Blentson (who may have been his cousin), George Pappas (who may have been related to Pete’s wife), and two other Greek men. The 1930 census in April found all five living together on Main Street and working as waiters in a restaurant.
Over the years, James’s partners were bought out and by 1938, he and “Chef” Bentson were the sole proprietors of the popular restaurant.
James returned to Greece shortly after the Italians invaded Greece in 1940. Local newspapers reported that he went back to fight for Greece and was captured there. We do not know much about his years there, but he was probably unable to return to the U.S. until after the war ended.
During James’s absence, his son, George, remained in the U.S. and became a U.S. citizen and registered for the WWII draft during this time. After he graduated from Massanutten Military Academy (MMA), he continued to helped operate the New York Restaurant.
James returned to the United States in 1946. When he arrived in New York, he brought his wife, “Konstante”, 19-year old son, “Theophanis”, and his youngest, 16-year old John. Their final destination was Knoxville, Tennessee, however, the family first went to Woodstock where his son, Frank, attended Massanutten Military Academy for at least a year. James sold his share of the New York Restaurant to his partner, Pete Blentson, in 1947. James and his family then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee.
He spent his last years in Knoxville, his family around him, where he operated “The Garden” Restaurant with his oldest son, George “Consin”. When he died, it was reported that his mother and sisters were still in Greece.
Creator
Morrison Studio
Source
Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
Undated
Contributor
Information compiled from various genealogical sources.
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
Relation
James G. Kotsianas appears in Morrison Studio Collection 1412, 6637, 7326, 7327, 7731, 8634, 13935,17590, 17591, 21692, 22186, and 22563.
Identifier
004910
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Glass Negative
Collection
Citation
Morrison Studio, “James G. Kotsianas,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed April 19, 2024, https://archives.countylib.org/items/show/34777.
Comments