The Nader Family consists of at least four generations. Our roots begin in Jezzine, Lebanon and have grown across parts of the world. We honor our family and its history. We cherish our past. We thrive in the present and are growing for the future.
The Early Years
Jezzine, Lebanon to New Castle, Pennsylvania, and Warren, Ohio, he led a life of honor and generosity. Emily Nader was born in Jezzine, Lebanon April 15, 1895, daughter of Abraham (d. 1936) and Rachel Maoshey (d. 1944)
Nassef Jadoon Nader and wife Mary (nee Khoury or Coree) had been living in New Castle with older brother Abraham Jadoon Nader and Abraham’s wife Mary. The brothers Abraham and Nassef were partners in a New Castle fruit store on the 1910 US census. Nassef and Mary have two Pennsylvania-born sons listed on the 1910 census taken on April 19, 1910: Alexander was 3 years old, Cammeo (Gamel) was 2 months old. It seems that one more child was born before Mary’s death in July 1911.
Nassef buried his first wife Mary in St. Joseph’s cemetery in New Castle in July of 1911. The death notice states that Mary is survived by her husband and three children. Nassef moved with his children to Waterville, Maine to be with his sister Nora and her husband Joseph Thomas (parents of Lou Thomas, the grandfather of our Thomas cousins). Gamel N. Nader died in Waterville in November 1911 at age 1 year and 9 months. On the Maine death certificate for Gamel, the mother’s maiden name is listed as Mary Coree. Her immigration information is not clear. Also, we don’t have a name or record for the youngest child.
Alexander, the oldest child, died in Mt. Lebanon (year unknown) after he was taken there by Nassef in 1913 to be cared for by the Nader family in Jezzine. Consider the Mt. Lebanon famine of 1914-1918 caused by the WWI British naval blockade and the actions of the Ottoman government, and the global flu pandemic of 1918. Due to WWI, there was no way to return Alexander to America or send aid to Mt. Lebanon. Passenger ships had been placed into military transport service. German U-boats roamed the seas around Europe.
Here is our grandfather Nassef in Waterville, Maine before departing for Lebanon via Alexandria, Egypt in 1913. He is standing center rear holding his son Alexander. The purpose of the trip to Lebanon was to take Alexander to Jezzine for care by the Nader family. The hope was to improve his health with sunshine and fresh fruits and vegetables. Once well, the plan was for him to return to the USA. The world was about to change with WWI outbreak in 1914. Our future grandmother, Emily, met Alexander on the inbound trip with his father.
Nassef’s sister Nora Nader Thomas is seated. Her husband Joseph Thomas, also seated, and some of their many children are in the photo. Lou Thomas, father and grandfather of our Thomas cousins, is the youngest, in the front.
Photo from the collection of Joan Thomas Petrucci of New Castle.
Emily and Nassef Nader wedding day in Alexandria, Egypt 1914
Kismet
Nassef went to the Abraham Nader apartment on a layover during his trip with Alexander to Jezzine. His cousin, Emily’s brother, George had instigated the stop.
When he knocked, unannounced, Emily answered the door. In that moment the rest of her life presented itself before her, as it turned out.
They agreed to correspond with her father’s permission during his trip to Lebanon. I believe he proposed in those letters and married her upon his return in December 1913. They honeymooned through France on the way to Maine. Joe was born in September 1914.
There is high romance in Emily’s telling of this story: To think that on one ordinary day you answer the door and a stranger is standing there and suddenly in that moment your life has taken a course that led in an uninterrupted way to a new country, six children, a long life, and about fifty of us.
When you encounter something by chance that seems like it was meant to be, then it could be kismet, your destiny. The word kismet comes from the Arabic word ḳismat, meaning “division, portion, lot.” You can think of kismet as your lot in life, or your fate.
Warren, Ohio.
Founding businesses in Waterville, Maine, New Castle, Pennsylvania, and, ultimately, Warren, Ohio, Nassef. J. Nader operated Nader’s Restaurant through the twenties on Main Street in Warren.
They raised six children: Joseph, Rachel, Louise, Genevieve, Paul, and Robert. Eleven grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and counting.
118 S. Main Ave. Warren, Ohio
— Nassef and son Joseph
