Ḥannā Ṭannūs Mu'Awwad

Who was Ḥannā Ṭannūs Mu’awwad?

Ḥannā Ṭannūs Mu’awwad, also known as John Thomas, was a Syrian-American businessman and Titanic passenger who tragically perished in the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. Born on July 2, 1877, in Tuḥūm, Lebanon, Ḥannā was a 34 (thirty-four) year-old entrepreneur who had made a name for himself in Columbus, Ohio, before his fateful journey aboard the Titanic.

Early Life and Immigration to America

Ḥannā was born into a Lebanese family, the son of Ṭannūs Mu’awwad and his wife Mary. He had two known siblings: Joseph (1872-1941) and Shaheen (b. 1886). The allure of opportunity in America called to Ḥannā, and on July 13, 1897, at the age of 20 (twenty), he arrived in the United States, setting his sights on Columbus, Ohio.

A New Identity in a New Land

Upon settling in Columbus, Ḥannā embraced his new home wholeheartedly. On April 2, 1902, he took a significant step in his American journey by becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. It was at this time that he changed his name to John Thomas, a moniker that would follow him throughout his business endeavors in Ohio.

Professional Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Ḥannā’s career in America was marked by both success and setbacks, showcasing his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Princess Theatre and Fashion Business

Contemporary news reports paint a picture of a hardworking and ambitious man. Ḥannā worked for the Princess Theatre for several years, likely honing his business acumen and building connections within the community. However, it was in the fashion industry where he truly made his mark.

Ḥannā accumulated a considerable fortune through the manufacture of tea gowns and kimonos. This venture into fashion demonstrated his ability to identify market trends and capitalize on them, a skill that served him well in the bustling economy of early 20th century America.

Financial Setbacks

Despite his success, Ḥannā was not immune to the volatile nature of the financial world. He experienced significant losses when two banks he had invested in, the Union National Bank and Columbus Savings and Trust, folded. This setback, while substantial, did not deter Ḥannā from his entrepreneurial pursuits.

Family Life and Ties to Lebanon

Ḥannā’s personal life was a blend of his American success and his Lebanese roots.

Marriage and Children

Around 1895, before his immigration to America, Ḥannā married in Lebanon. While the identity of his wife remains unclear, we know she was from the Dāhir family. The couple had a son, Ṭannūs Ḥannā Mu’awwad Ṭannūs, born in 1896.

Ḥannā’s commitment to his family back in Lebanon remained strong throughout his time in America. In February 1911, he applied for a U.S. passport to visit his family in Lebanon, intending to return within a year. During this visit, his wife gave birth to another son, Yūsuf, born in early 1912.

A Father’s Aspirations

Ḥannā’s return journey to America in 1912 was driven by his desire to provide a better future for his eldest son. He planned to bring Ṭannūs to the United States to complete his education, with aspirations of him eventually attending Ohio State University.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

In April 1912, Ḥannā and his son Ṭannūs embarked on what would be their final journey together.

Boarding the Titanic

The father and son boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as third-class passengers. Ḥannā’s ticket, number 2681, cost £6, 8s, 9d. They were not alone in their journey; several relatives accompanied them:

Jirjis Yūsuf Abī Sa’b (Gerios Youseff)
Shanīnah Shāhīn Abī S’ab Wihbah
Bannūrah Ayyūb-Dāhir
Ṭannūs Dāhir (Ḥannā’s brother-in-law)

The Night of the Sinking

On the tragic night of April 14-15, 1912, Ḥannā and his son were asleep in their cabin when the Titanic struck the iceberg. As the severity of the situation became clear, they gathered with their relatives in the ship’s communal areas.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Ḥannā’s son Ṭannūs became separated from the group. Ḥannā, displaying the love and devotion of a father, went searching for him. According to Bannūrah Ayyūb-Dāhir’s account, Ḥannā descended a staircase in search of his son, while young Ṭannūs appeared on another staircase. When informed of his father’s whereabouts, Ṭannūs set off to find him. Tragically, this was the last time anyone saw either of them.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The loss of Ḥannā and his son Ṭannūs in the Titanic disaster was a profound tragedy for their family and the Lebanese-American community.

The Fate of the Family

While Ḥannā and his eldest son perished, his legacy lived on through his younger son, Yūsuf. Born just months before the Titanic’s sinking, Yūsuf went on to marry and raise a family of five children in Lebanon.

Ḥannā’s widow, whose name remains unknown, is believed to have remained in Lebanon after the tragedy. The loss of her husband and eldest son must have been devastating, yet she persevered in raising their youngest child.

A Brother’s Memory

Ḥannā’s brother Joseph, who had also emigrated to Columbus and operated a dry goods store, carried on the family’s presence in Ohio.