David W. Sox, MD shares a beautiful family portrait from 1956 and an incredible Charleston story that dates back to 1900

A picture can tell a thousand words or at least an incredible Charleston story whose origins date back 120 years.

Origin and history of the image

Willie and Viola Zobel were married in 1900, in a home on Spring Street. They had five sons and two daughters.

• William
• Rudolph
• Alvin
• Raymond
• Eugene
• Lucille
• Helen

All are in the picture except for the youngest son, Eugene, who was always the photographer.

There were fifteen first cousins, twelve of whom are in the picture. The other three were older and away in military service or summer employment.

The location of this image is Folly Beach. in front of the beach house of Captain William Zobel, on Arctic Avenue, and the picture was taken in 1956.

Of the twelve cousins in the photo, nine remain alive. The oldest living cousin is 92 and healthy. not in the photo.

Longevity is a Zobel family trait. Willy and Viola lived to 89 in the age before there were treatments for cholesterol, hypertension, or other conditions. All their offspring are deceased but Lucille and Helen lived to 98 and 97, several of the brothers well into their 90’s as well.

David is the skinny kid in the middle of the front row, plaid shirt, holding my Brownie Hawkeye camera in the right hand.

Willie Zobel and his brother were in the house demolition business in the early 1900s when many Charleston homes were already centuries old and dilapidated.

About David W. Sox, MD

• David is a 76-year-old retired physician, MUSC Class of 1969. He recently attended the 50-year reunion.
• David resides in Roseville, CA but will always consider South Carolina his home.
• David was coached by the great John McKissick in Summerville (track), born in old Roper Hospital.
• He is the son of Helen Zobel Sox who was the last of her generation and died in 2011.

Story and image courtesy of David. W. Sox, MD