His parents Delphin and Opportune Tannery, who were Roman Catholics, gave him his early education, then he attended schools in several towns as his parents moved because of his father's job.
Ang kanyang mga magulang Delphin at tamang-tama kultihan, sino ay Romano Katoliko, ibinigay sa kanya ng kanyang unang bahagi ng edukasyon, at pagkatapos ay siya pumasok sa paaralan sa ilang bayan sa bilang ng kanyang mga magulang dahil inilipat ng kanyang ama sa trabaho.