Fahīm Rūḥānā Al-Za'Innī

Who was Fahīm Rūḥānā al-Za’innī?

Fahīm Rūḥānā al-Za’innī, also known as Philip Zenni, was a Syrian-American survivor of the Titanic disaster who later settled in Dayton, Ohio. Born on October 25, 1886, in Tola Batron, Syria, he embarked on a journey that would lead him through one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies and into a life marked by both entrepreneurial success and personal turmoil in the United States.

Early Life and Immigration

Syrian Roots

Fahīm was born to Fahim and Jamalie E. Zenni in Syria. His family included a brother, Joseph Elias Zenni, born on March 19, 1894, and a sister. This familial background provided the foundation for his later life in America.

Journey to America

At the age of 19 (nineteen), Fahīm first emigrated to the United States on April 5, 1906. This initial move set the stage for his later, more dramatic return voyage aboard the Titanic.

The Titanic Experience

A Fateful Return Journey

In the winter of 1911-1912, Fahīm returned to Syria and married Elsie, born on March 18, 1895. Following their wedding, he embarked on his return journey to America aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.

Boarding and Survival

Fahīm boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as a third-class passenger, holding ticket number 2620, which cost £7 4s 6d. His survival story is one of daring and controversy:

‘Zanni made an effort to leap into one of the boats, but an officer of the boat stood with a drawn revolver in hand and all the men were compelled to stand back at the command, ‘Women and children first.’ Zanni made a second unsuccessful attempt to leap into the boat and was ordered back by the officer, but a moment later the officer turned and he made a leap, landing in the middle of the boat. He took refuge under one of the seats and the boat was pulled away. There was twenty women and three men in the boat. Zanni was placed at the oars. A woman in the boat pleaded with him to save her dog.’ (Niles Daily News, April 25, 1912)

Fahīm was rescued, possibly in lifeboat 6, making him one of the few third-class male passengers to survive the disaster.

Life in America

Settlement in Dayton

After surviving the Titanic sinking, Fahīm continued to his destination of Dayton, Ohio, where he would spend the rest of his life. His wife, Elsie, joined him a few weeks later on another ship.

Career and Family

Initially employed as a machinist at Platt Iron Works in Dayton, Fahīm later transitioned to the confectionery business. The couple had four children:

• Mathilda (Matilia), born April 12, 1913 or 1914
• Jeffrey, born December 2, 1915 (died February 3, 1987)
• Elizabeth (Frances?), born December 11, 1917 (died January 1, 1968)
• Nazzare (Nazera A.), born December 19, 1919 (died December 3, 2012)

Legal Troubles and Citizenship

Fahīm’s life in America was not without challenges. He applied for citizenship on August 25, 1920, but his application was initially denied. He faced legal troubles, including:

• An assault accusation in 1920 (acquitted)
• A guilty verdict for liquor possession in 1924, resulting in a $500 fine
• Finally gaining U.S. citizenship around May 1924

Personal Struggles and Family Dissolution

Domestic Troubles

The Zenni household faced significant turmoil. On June 29, 1926, The Dayton Herald reported:

“Phillip Zenni, 36 years old, 608 East First street, was held under $3,000 bond when he pleaded not guilty in police court, Monday, to a charge of assault and battery on his wife, Elsie Zenni.”

Family Separation

Following a stint in a workhouse, Fahīm returned home to find his wife had sold their confectionery business and disappeared with their four children. His desperate search was publicized in The Dayton Daily News:

“Father Wants To Trace His Lost Family - Philip Zenni, 216 S. Main st., offered $25 reward Friday for information regarding the whereabouts of his wife, Elsie, and their four children, Mathilde, 13; Joeffrey (sic), 11; Frances, 9, and Nazzare, 7.”

Final Years and Legacy

Fahīm Rūḥānā al-Za’innī’s life came to a premature end on December 4, 1927, at the age of 41 (forty-one). He succumbed to typhoid fever and broncho-pneumonia. Tragically, he died estranged from his family, with only a sister and brother mentioned as his closest relatives. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, on December 7, 1927.

Fahīm’s life story encapsulates the complex immigrant experience of the early 20th century, from the harrowing survival of the Titanic disaster to the challenges of building a new life in America. His tale serves as a poignant reminder of the personal stories behind historical events and the often turbulent path of the American Dream.