1913 University of Illinois The Illio (yearbook), Page 478
Education: undergraduate unknown, University of Illinois School of Medicine (1912)
Birthplace: Elmonsif, Mt. Lebanon, Syria*
Parents: Daughter Mickie's September 1971 engagement announcement identified them as Mr. & Mrs. George Nasif of Beirut, Lebanon
Spouse: Corinne Claire Michot (1890-1954), Anna Marie Wesley (1898-1998)
Children: Naum George, Jr.; Mickie Marie (daughter); both by Anna
Tenure in Oil City: 1913
* Various documents state his birthplace as Lebanon, Syria, and even Turkey. In his own hand, he recorded the birthplace location above. All are correct however, as during that time Lebanon was part of Syria, which was part of the Turkish, also known as Ottoman, empire. Mount. Lebanon at the time he left was a province of Ottoman Syria, and is a governorate of present- day Lebanon. Monsef is an area within that region (El or "Al" meaning "the").
Naum George Nasif Fatooh (or Fattooh) was his original name, but he apparently dropped his last name upon coming to the United States. Per his citizenship application he entered the country at Detroit, MI in 1909, and was living in Chicago by the time of the 1910 U. S. Census (birthplace listed as Syria). He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois in June 1912.
He was listed in the 1913-1914 Meridian, MS city directory, however it is not clear if he resided there before his time in Oil City or afterward.
In September 1913, Dr. Nasif was one of four men severely burned as the result of a gas explosion in the drug store in which his office was located. His partner, Dr. Charles Walter Phillips (1879-1950) was originally expected to die from his injuries, but eventually recovered. The incident occurred while a plumber was installing gas lighting in the shop.
By 1922 he was practicing in the Bossier parish town of Benton.
Bossier (LA) Banner 30-Nov-1922, Page 5
He became a naturalized U. S. citizen in March 1924. Though dropping it socially and professionally, Fattooh apparently remained his legal last name. In an unusual circumstance, Corinne, a Louisiana native born in Marksville and residing in the state her entire life, later had to apply for citizenship as if also an alien.
Times 08-Mar-1924, Page 16
Several Shreveport-area doctors, including Dr. Nasif, as well as two from Oil City (Dr. John Edgar Rooks and Dr. Paul Thomas Alexander) were charged in October 1925 with violating the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act. That law initially controlled related activities for and essentially prohibited the prescription of morphine and cocaine-based drugs. They were released after each posted a $2,500 bond (approximately $36,000 today) and arraigned in federal court the following year. The outcomes of their individual cases is not known, however the charges were likely dropped ultimately due to a successful challenge to the law (Linder v. United States) by an Oklahoma doctor similarly charged where it was ruled the government overstepped its bounds to regulate medicine. None of the men apparently suffered any later personal/professional consequences resulting from the incident.
In 1930 he was living in Shreveport with wife Corinne and practicing in the Giddens-Lane building downtown. By 1940, he was a lodger in Jonesville, listed as "doctor in private practice" while Corinne was living in Marksville with her sister Therese. Both however identified themselves as married. He also identified himself as married to Corinne when registering for the WWII draft in 1942. It is not known when they divorced, however Dr. Nasif married Marie Elizabeth Ellis of Harrisonburg, LA in February 1943. They later had a daughter Mickie Marie, and a son Naum George, Jr.
Dr. Nasif made national news in 1950 for delivering triplets born over successive days. He later coordinated community assistance for the family, that already had seven children ranging from two to 15. All lived on a three-room houseboat, the father being a fisherman, and in addition to crowding, the damp air was not good for the newborns.
Monroe (LA) Morning World 12-Mar-1950, Page 1
Dr. Nasif passed away 22-Jul-1981. His accomplishments per his obituary included:
- Served three terms as Catahoula Parish coroner
- Served on the medical staff of the Catahoula and Concordia parish hospitals
- President of Fifth District (multi-parish) Medical Society
- Founder of Nasif Clinic and Homage Manor nursing home
- Charter member of Jonnesville Lions Club
Of note, there is a Nasif Street in Jonesville, presumably named for the doctor.
Obituary: Alexandria (LA) Town Talk 24-Jul-1981, Page B-6
Interment: Woodlawn Mausoleum; Ferriday, LA (per obit)
See also Immigrants And Their Role In Oil City History
Return to Encyclopedia Oleum Civitas
Obituary: Alexandria (LA) Town Talk 24-Jul-1981, Page B-6
Interment: Woodlawn Mausoleum; Ferriday, LA (per obit)
See also Immigrants And Their Role In Oil City History
Return to Encyclopedia Oleum Civitas
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