Maine Memory Network

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Description

In 1911, Russian immigrants Joseph, Sarah, Arthur, and William Unobskey became U.S. citizens (son Charles was born in the United States) and moved to Calais, opening a clothing store called “Unobskey’s Store.” Joseph died in 1922, leaving Sarah and her sons to run the growing business.

Sarah was renowned for her “unusually strong personality and far sighted business acumen.” Over time, the Unobskey family expanded their retail holdings, building a commercial block that included a movie theater and professional office buildings.

Business success allowed Sarah Unobskey’s, children to attend college, travel, and participate in Maine’s civic and political arenas. Two of her sons, Arthur and Charles Unobskey, traveled extensively for work in their clothing store, and pleasure. Lillian Unobskey married to Arthur.

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About This Item

• Title: Lillian, Arthur, and Charles Unobskey aboard a ship, ca. 1938
• Creation Date: circa 1938
• Subject Date: circa 1938
• Location: Calais, Washington County, ME
• Media: Photographic print
• Dimensions: 11.5 cm x 7 cm
• Local Code: Coll. 2589, vol. 2
• Collection: Unobskey family scrapbooks
• Object Type: Image

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Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Clothing stores--Maine--Calais
• Emigration & immigration--United States
• Emigration and immigration--Russia
• Immigrants--United States--Maine--Calais
• Jews--Maine--Calais
• Stores & shops--Maine--Calais

People

• Unobskey, Arthur
• Unobskey, Charles
• Unobskey, Lilian

Other Keywords

• Unobsky

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For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

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