James Arthur Strosnider, Jr's U.S. Navy Discharge
subject: Strosnider, James Arthur Jr.
subject: Recording & registration - Virginia - Shenandoah County
description: Photograph of the document certifying that Pharmacist's Mate Second Class James Arthur Strosnider, Jr. was honorably discharged from the Navy in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 27, 1945.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: Additional documentation for James A. Strosnider, Jr.'s separation from the Navy appears in Morrison Studio Collection number 027261.
relation: Photographs of James Arthur Strosnider, Jr., appear in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001853, 001871, 003667, 003673, 004122, 015034, 031654, 031655, and 031656.

James Clayton Tisinger Separation From the Navy
subject: Recording & registration - Virginia - Shenandoah County
subject: Tisinger, James Clayton (1920- )
description: Photograph of the form titled, "Notice of the Separation From U.S. Naval Service" signed by James Clayton Tisinger, in Charleston, South Carolina, in December 1945. James was born on May 27, 1920, in Mount Jackson, Virginia. He was working for Jesse Rubin in Edinburg as a truck driver when he enlisted in January 1942. The form includes his duty stations, his dates of service (Jan 1942 - December 1945), and a description of his service (Specialist in Engine Overhaul). It also noted he was single and hoped to become an aviation machinist.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED

James Clayton Tisinger's U.S. Navy Discharge
subject: Tisinger, James Clayton
subject: Recording & registration - Virginia - Shenandoah County
description: Photograph of the document certifying that Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate James Clayton Tisinger was honorably discharged from the Navy in Charleston, South Carolina, on December 21, 1945.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: Additional U.S. Navy Separation paperwork for James Clayton Tisinger appears in Morrison Studio Collection number 025351.

James Clower
subject: Clower, James Samuel (1911-1986)
description: Photo of two separate portrait photographs of James Samuel Clower in his middle years wearing a suit and striped tie. James was the son of a pharmacist, Joseph B. Clower, Sr. and his wife, Caddie Barry (Rodeffer) Clower. Joseph B. Clower, Jr. was his brother. He was from Woodstock and although he worked in his father's drug store when he was young, he spent most of his career with the U.S. post office. For many years, he was a mailman in Woodstock. He never married. The image on the left has a mark at the top where the photographer noted which of the two images he planned to print.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: No ID form. Name was written in the margin of the paper copy.
contributor: Biographical information was compiled from public sources.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James S. Clower appears in Morrison Studio Collection images 003765, 003797, 004620, 027327, 029256, 029630, 030260, and 031694.

James Clower
subject: Clower, James Samuel (1911-1986)
description: Photo of two separate portrait photographs of James Samuel Clower in his middle years wearing a suit and striped tie. James was the son of a pharmacist, Joseph B. Clower, Sr. and his wife, Caddie Barry (Rodeffer) Clower. Joseph B. Clower, Jr. was his brother. He was from Woodstock and although he worked in his father's drug store when he was young, he spent most of his career with the U.S. post office. For many years, he was a mailman in Woodstock. He never married. The image on the right has a mark at the top where the photographer noted which of the two images he planned to print.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Identified in 2025 by Zach Hottel.
contributor: Biographical information was compiled from public sources.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James S. Clower appears in Morrison Studio Collection images 003765, 003797, 004620, 027327, 029256, 029630, 030260, and 031694.

James D. Hepner
subject: Hepner, James D.
description: Hugh Morrison Photograph of James D. Hepner, World War Two Veteran and member of the US Army.
creator: Hugh Morrison
source: Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Unknown
rights: Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)

James D. Hepner
subject: Sailors - American - Virginia - Shenandoah County
subject: Hepner, James Durwood (1917-1993)
description: Portrait photograph of James D. Hepner wearing his U.S. Navy overcoat and cap. His wife was Jane (Keller) Hepner (1924-2004).
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: No ID form. His name was written on the margin of the paper copy of Morrison Studio Collection number 006921.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James D. Hepner appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001030, 006921, and 018114.

James D. Hepner
subject: Hepner, James Durwood (1917-1993)
subject: Sailors - American - Virginia - Shenandoah County
description: Portrait photograph of James Durwood Hepner wearing his U.S. Navy uniform and cap, and posed with his arms folded across his chest. His wife was Jane (Keller) Hepner (1924-2004).
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: WWII timeframe
contributor: No ID form. His name was written in the margin of the paper copy.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James D. Hepner appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001030, 006921, and 018114.

James D. Hepner
subject: Hepner, James Durwood (1917-1993)
description: Portrait photograph of James Durwood Hepner wearing a striped suit and tie. His wife was Jane (Keller) Hepner (1924-2004). The name, "James D. Hepner", is written on the glass plate.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: The glass plate negative of this image was stored in a box labeled "Mar 1950".
contributor: No ID form. His name was written in the margin of the paper copy of Morrison image 006921.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James D. Hepner appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001030, 006921, and 018114.

James D. McClure
subject: McClure, James Darrell (1947- )
subject: Soldiers - American - Virginia - Shenandoah County
description: Photo of two separate portrait photographs of James McClure as a young man with glasses wearing a U.S. Army uniform. James was the son of John William and Mary Catherine (Ketterman) McClure. He was a 1965 graduate of Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia. He married Donna Carolyn Campbell from Strasburg in 1969.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: No ID form. Name was written in the margin of the paper copy.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James D. McClure appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 030123 and 030201.

James D. McClure
subject: McClure, James Darrell (1947- )
subject: Soldiers - American - Virginia - Shenandoah County
description: Photo of two separate portrait photographs of James McClure as a young man with glasses wearing a U.S. Army uniform. The image on the right has a mark at the top where the photographer noted which of the two images he planned to print. James was the son of John William and Mary Catherine (Ketterman) McClure. He was a 1965 graduate of Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia. He married Donna Carolyn Campbell from Strasburg in 1969.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: No ID form. Name was written in the margin of the paper copy.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James D. McClure appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 030123 and 030201.

James David Lindamood's Birth Certificate
subject: Lindamood, James David (1943- )
subject: Recording & registration - Virginia - Shenandoah County
description: Photograph of the birth certificate issued for James David Lindamood who was born on March 19, 1943, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Parents were James Montonia Lindamood and Shirley Mae Sager.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED

James E. McKenzie
subject: McKenzie, James E.
subject: Korean War, 1950-1953
description: A picture of James E. McKenzie, US Army. It appeared in the Shenandoah Herald on September 7, 1950 when the paper announced he had been killed in action in Korea. On September 7, 1950 the Shenandoah Herald Private James E. McKenzie, 18, of Quicksburg was killed in action while serving in Korea. He was the first county resident to die in the conflict. McKenzie was a graduate of the New Market High School Class of 1949. He volunteered for the US Army after graduating, was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Regiment, and deployed to the conflict zone in July of 1950, almost immediately after the war began. His parents, G.M. and Florence McKenzie as well as 5 brothers, 3 sisters, and his grandparents survived him.
creator: Shenandoah Herald
source: Shenandoah Valley-Herald Newspaper Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: September 7, 1950
rights: Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
type: Photograph

James Earl Bauserman
subject: Bauserman, James Earl (1897-1979)
description: Portrait photograph of James Earl Bauserman. James was the son of James Russell Bauserman and Flora Bell (Bradley) Bauserman. He worked as a painter his entire life. James was originally married to Susie (Jones) Bauserman who died in 1923 leaving behind two daughters. His second wife was Frances Hoshour. They had one son, Paul Bauserman.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Identified in 2002 by James E. Morrison, Sr., who was a former neighbor of the subject. They lived across W. High Street in Woodstock from one another in the 1960's.
contributor: Also identified in 2017 by Mary Kathryn Sours. Her husband, Wayne Preston Sours was James Earl Bauserman's nephew. She had the same photograph at her home.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED

James Eldred Swartz
subject: Swartz, James Eldred (1899-1994)
description: Portrait photograph of J. Eldred Swartz posed in studio. Mr. Swartz was the principal of Triplett High School in Mount Jackson. He was married to Virginia (Hornsby) Swartz in 1940.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Subject identified in 2005 by Virginia W. Dellinger.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: J. Eldred Swartz appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 005644, 006729 and 014627.

James F. Allen
subject: Enslaved Person-Virginia-Shenandoah County
date: October 9, 1854
contributor: Zach Hottel

James F. Wetzel & His Mother, Drucilla (Hottel) Wetzel
subject: Wetzel, James Franklin (1915-1973)
subject: Wetzel, Drucilla Elaine (Hottel) (1880-1953)
description: Photograph of James Franklin Wetzel as a boy, posed cheek-to-cheek with his mother, Drucilla (Hottel) Wetzel. James lived in Woodstock as a boy, but spent his later years in Edinburg. He finished high school and served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1943-1946. After the war, James was, for many years, a textile worker at the American Viscose Corporation. His wife was Lelia Whetzel (1917-1966) from Mount Jackson. Lelia was the daughter of Hallie Benjamin and Sarah Annie (Clinedinst) Whetzel. Drucilla E. (Hottel) Wetzel was born near Columbia Furnace to James R. (1851-1915) and Catherine “Kate” (Bradfield) (1857-1929) Hottel. She married George Wetzel (1854-1918) in 1904, a man much older than she who had children of his own from a prior marriage. Together, the couple had three more children: Catherine Marie, Reva Elizabeth, and James Franklin Wetzel
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Labelled "June 1917" on box of plates.
contributor: Identified in 2004 by Jessica Jett, James' granddaughter, who had a copy of this image at her home.
contributor: Biographical details compiled from public records.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: Drucilla (Hottel) Wetzel is pictured in Morrison Studio Collection images 002676, 005408, and 023477.
relation: James Franklin Wetzel appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 005408 and 023477.

James Foltz
subject: Foltz, James Earl "Froggie" (1888-1971)
description: James Foltz wearing lace up boots and seated on a stool in the studio.
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Identified in 2009 by Douglas Dellinger, grandson of the subject.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James Earl Foltz appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 0011431, 017251, 020190, and 020315.

James Fultz
subject: Fultz, James
subject: Students - Virginia - Quicksburg
description: Photo of two separate portrait photographs of James Fultz as a young man in a suit and tie. A photograph similar to these was used in the 1964 Stonewall Jackson High School Yearbook (SJHS) titled, "Jacksonian Heritage".
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Identified in 2024 by Kenna Fansler using the 1964 SJHS yearbook.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED

James G. Kotsianas
subject: Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
description: Portrait 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 (M…
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Biographical information compiled from various public records and genealogical sources.
contributor: Identified as "Jimmy the Greek" in 2002 by Charlotte Clinedinst. She remembered he owned and operated the New York Restaurant in the old hotel building in Woodstock.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James G. Kotsianas appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001412, 004910, 006637, 007326, 007327, 007731, 008634, 013935, 017590, 017591, 021296, 021692, 022186, 022213, 022563, 024115, 024715, and 040256.

James G. Kotsianas
subject: Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
description: Portrait 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 (M…
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Biographical information was compiled from public records.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James G. Kotsianas appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001412, 004910, 006637, 007326, 007327, 007731, 008634, 013935, 017590, 017591, 021296, 021692, 022186, 022213, 022563, 024115, 024715, and 040256.
relation: This image was later superimposed on Morrison Photo #013935, the group photograph of his wife, in-laws, and two oldest children.

James G. Kotsianas
subject: Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
description: Portrait 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 (M…
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Identified by Eva Clinedinst.
contributor: Biographical information was compiled from public records.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James G. Kotsianas appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001412, 004910, 006637, 007326, 007327, 007731, 008634, 013935, 017590, 017591, 021296, 021692, 022186, 022213, 022563, 024115, 024715, and 040256.

James G. Kotsianas
subject: Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
description: Portrait 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 (M…
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: Undated
contributor: Biographical information was compiled from public records.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James G. Kotsianas appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001412, 004910, 006637, 007326, 007327, 007731, 008634, 013935, 017590, 017591, 021296, 021692, 022186, 022213, 022563, 024115, 024715, and 040256.

James G. Kotsianas
subject: Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
description: Photograph of James G. Kotsianas standing by a bench in a suit and bow tie. 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 fro…
creator: Morrison Studio
source: Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
publisher: Shenandoah County Library
date: ca. 1925
contributor: Identification by library staff based on other images of him in the Morrison Studio Collection.
contributor: Biographical information was compiled from public records.
rights: IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
relation: James G. Kotsianas appears in Morrison Studio Collection numbers 001412, 004910, 006637, 007326, 007327, 007731, 008634, 013935, 017590, 017591, 021296, 021692, 022186, 022213, 022563, 024115, 024715, and 040256.

James G. Kotsianas
subject: Kotsianas, James G. (1886-1956)
description: Portrait 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 (M…
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 numbers 001412, 004910, 006637, 007326, 007327, 007731, 008634, 013935, 017590, 017591, 021296, 021692, 022186, 022213, 022563, 024115, 024715, and 040256.