Talhouk Family

History & Heritage

hussein-mahmoud-talhouk
Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk
Melhem Nassif Talhouk
Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
Dr. Jamil Hussein Talhouk
Khattar Talhouk

Talhouk Family

The history of the Talhouk family in Lebanon, and particularly the district of Aley, is a significant chapter in the history of the region.
As far back as the 13th century, the Talhouks were regarded as proud and fearless warriors, who earned their title of “sheikh” at the tip of the sword.
This branch of the Beni-Assad tribe once lived in Iraq on the banks of the Euphrates, before moving to settle in Damascus, then in Hauran (on the invitation of the Shehab), where they stayed for some 200 years.
Some of the family also settled in the east of Jordan River – al-Majali.
From Hauran, they moved to Rachaya and settled there after a war, where they pushed the Crusaders out of Hasbaya.
They joined the Druze faith at that time, along with Al Shehab family.
They adopted the name Talhouk because they came from a region known as Tal el Houk.
In the year 1244, after a dispute with Al Shehab in Hasbaya, the Talhouks travelled to the Beirut region and bought most of the land around the old “wall” (barricade) in Ras Beirut, where they built homes and farms, including the planting of mulberry orchards.

At one point, the Talhouks were the main land-owners of Ras-Beirut and especially the current Al Hamra district. The “Al Hamra” emirs, who gave their name to this part of Beirut outside the capital, had attacked and deposed the Talhouks, who were installed on the periphery. After being sheltered at Kfarchima, the Talhouks, most of whom were young, took back their property a few years later and decimated the Hamra completely, forcing out their enemies.
In 1460, the Talhouk family had many joint venture interests with families in Beirut, including Jaloul, Ghoul, Itani, Yammout and Chatila.
The Talhouk clan stayed in that region for almost 200 years.
They gave much of their land in Beirut to the Itani family.

Milhem Daher Talhouk

Feudal Lords

Like all the feudal lords, the Talhouks had very extensive property holdings in regional areas of Lebanon. These included the villages of Ainab, Aitat, Baysour, Majdlaya, Dfoun, Souk-el-Gharb, Bdadoun, Houmal, Bsous, Kahaleh, Bkhechtay, etc.

The Talhouks established farms and homes in areas including Keyfoun, Dfoun, Qamatiyeh, Ain el Remmeneh, Ainab, Houmal, Blaybel, Bsous, Baysour to Jisr el Qadi; in Aley – Kahaleh, Bkhechtay, Bhouara, Ghaboun; in the Bekka Valley – Anjar, Mejdel Anjar, and surrounding areas.

About 1570, after friction with the Tannoukhi clan, just three members of the Talhouk family remained – they sought refuge with their followers in Houmal and Aytat.

In Aytat, Ahmed Talhouk purchased large lands in the middle of the town and married from Abi Najm family.

The family located itself in three areas – Aytat, Aley, Baysour – which became their last home ports and permanent strongholds.

The family adopted the lion as its emblem – In 1600, two sculpted lions graced the entrance of the Talhouk residence in Aytat. (In 1928, Assaad Hamad Talhouk moved the lions to Aley.)

Also in Aytat, in the 1600s, the Talhouks built their military headquarters, a massive stone complex, handed down through the generations to Sheikh Aref Talhouk. In 1971, it was purchased and restored by the scholar, artist and author, Dr Sami Makarem, preserving the history of both families for future generations as a Cultural Center.

Sheikh Abu Shahin Talhouk, one of the most famous members of the family, was brought by Emir Fakhreddine from Constantinople to assist his son Emir Hussein, from the governorate of the Irbib and Ajloun region in Jordan.

It was after the battle of Ain Dara, in 1711, during which the Talhouks fought with remarkable courage and loyalty, that Emir Haidar Shehab conferred on them the title of “Sheikh”. To these letters of nobility was added the governance of the region of “Gharb Al-Aala” now known as Aley District.
The Arlsan emirs were then overlords of Gharb Al-Asfal.

Said Faour Talhouk

Talhouks of Aley

Sheikh Hussein Talhouk, an early orphan, and precariously intelligent boy, was only 12 years old when he took possession of the lands of his stronghold in Aley. On his own he decided that he had to learn to live up to his task. He summoned Sleiman Saliby from Souk-el-Gharb, who served as his preceptor and trained him in the disciplines of syntax, language and calculation.

He had an acute vision of the future and was one of the first who encouraged the railway to pass through Aley.

He offered immense grounds, extending from Jamhour to Aley, to ensure the passage of the train and, in order to be sure that it would stop in front of the village (and thus contribute to its development), had the station built on a property owned by his wife, which had its own source of water. For those who remember locomotives, stopping near a water tank was vital. It is undeniable that the train was at the base of Aley’s prosperity.

Scroll down the page to read biography for Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk.

Aley owes to the Talhouk, not only the passage of the railroad, but also the water that Sheikh Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk brought from Hammana, advancing to the municipality of which he was the president, the sum of 5000 gold pounds.

Scroll down the page to read biography for Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk.

In 1943, the region escaped bloody encounters, thanks to Dr. Jamil Talhouk, who warned of the arrival of French troops making preparations to attack the region, and obtained from General Spears (installed by the government of independence, he was using the home of Emir Faisal Arslan as his headquarters),  the withdrawal of soldiers who were on course to combine to collide with the civilian population.

Following a vow to the people of Aley, Dr. Jamil Talhouk practiced medicine free of charge from 1911 to 1943. He earned his fees only from providing expert evidence in the courts.

Scroll down the page to read biography for Dr. Jamil Talhouk.

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Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
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Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk
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Said Faour Talhouk

Talhouks of Aytat

1. Said Faour Talhouk

Born in 1827, studied in Beirut and returned to Aytat in 1857 with a law degree.
He was governor of Wadi Taym. The government appointed him president of the law in Baabda for 20 years.
He married with three children – Mohamed, Jamil and Alia.
He was honoured by the government at the time with the title Baek and awarded a Badge of Honor

He built a beautiful home in Aytat close to the home of his father. When his father died, he donated his inheritance in the building to his brother, Shibli.
He died in Aytat in 1903 and was buried in the grounds of his home.

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Melhem Daher Talhouk

 

 

2. Milhem Daher Hamad Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1831

He studied law in Beirut and Astana (Turkey), during the time of the Ottoman empire. He worked in the Sultan’s Castle in Istanbul for four years, then came to Lebanon, and occupied the Office of Law in Baabda.

He took over from Said Faour Talhouk. He was honoured with the title Baek and Badge of Honor.

He married Badr Assaad Talhouk and had seven children – Daoud, Salim, Najib, Wama, Amily, Jeni, Latifi. He died in 1908 in Aytat.

3. Hamad Assaad Hamad Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1842.
Studied in Beirut, fluent in Arabic, French & English.
He was in charge of the west area government. He was awarded Badge of Honor and title of Baek.
He married Nada Abdel Malak and had four children – Farid and Assaad, Amira and Samia.
He died in Beirut in 1923, his funeral in Aley, buried in family cemetery.

4. Abdul Hamid Hussein Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1851, he studied in Beirut. He was a commander in the Lebanese army, and soon after became a general in charge of Zhgarta area. He was close friends with Qabalan Franjiyeh.
He was a supporter of independence for the Arab nation from the Ottoman empire and because of this was exiled to Anatolia in 1914. He died in 1916 as a martyr for the republic.
He was married to Amma Milhem Talhouk and had two children – Hussein and Mohamed Amin.

5. Ali Abbas Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1865, he studied in Beirut and Astana (Turkey), became a lawyer and the government appointed him as a judge, he was in charge of the court in Aley for many years. He married Sada Hamad Talhouk. He had one son – Wadih, a poet, but he died at a young age.
Ali Abbas Talhouk died in 1932 and was buried in Aytat in the family cemetery.

6. Jamil Said Talhouk 

Born in Aytat in 1872, he studied in Beirut and Istana (Turkey), graduated as a lawyer, returned to Lebanon, practised his profession and worked as a diplomat.
He sold much of his property to continue with his political policies against the dictators.
He married his uncle’s daughter Chibli and had three sons – Said, Chibli and Hassib, and one daughter.
He divorced his wife and married Amini, the daughter of Mohamad Assaad Talhouk.
He died in 1930, and was buried in Aytat.

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Dr. SALIM MELHEM Talhouk

7. Dr Salim Melhem Talhouk

Born in Aytat in 1871, he studied in Beirut at University Saint Joseph. His father, Melhem Daher Talhouk, transferred him to the AUB, and he graduated as a doctor. He went overseas to France for one year, one year in Britain and one year in US, where he graduated from Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1897. He specialised in surgery, and ophthalmology, and returned to practice in Lebanon.
He married Amilia Hussein Talhouk and had two sons – Mahmoud and Abdul Munim, and one daughter – Effat.
He travelled to Egypt with his brother Najib, he became a very successful surgeon and invented eye drops, known as ‘Nile”.
It was considered a medical innovation in the Arab region and is still known until now.

He lived in Beirut, practising his profession, and built many stores in Aley. He bought large land in Aley opposite Gebeily Hotel and built two homes.
After Lebanon became independent, he was a senator in the Lebanese parliament – he served as Health Minister twice, during the time of Bechara el Khoury.
He died in 1953 and was buried in the family cemetery.

8. Farid Hamad Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1872. He studied in Beirut and Istana and graduated in pharmacy.
In 1901 he had a pharmacy in Beirut – Sahat el Burj – one of the largest pharmacies in Beirut.
He married Amini Mohamed Talhouk.
He had two sons – Shakib and Shafic – and two daughters – Khartoum and Sada.
He built a house in Ras Beirut. His son, Shakib became a doctor, and Shafic became a pharmacist, and took over his father’s business.
He died in Beirut in 1947 and was buried in Aley in the family cemetery.

9. Najib Melhem Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1873, studied in Beirut and Istana, graduated in pharmacy, and went with his brother Salim to Egypt and established in Cairo “Qasr Nile” .
Najib came to Lebanon in 1925 and married Jamal Shafic Nakkedi.
He had one son – Omar.
He died in 1929 and was buried in Aytat in the family cemetery.

10. Assaad Hamad Talhouk
Born in 1888 in Aytat.
He studied at the AUB and enjoyed notoriety as an accomplished soccer player. He went to London to study architecture and became a manager for his father’s properties and built two properties in Ras Beirut – Sadat.
He married Latifi Mahmoud Talhouk.
He had one son – Ghaleb – and three daughters.

11. Dr Mohamed Amin Talhouk
Born in 1898 in Aytat. Graduated from AUB as a doctor and went to Sudan. He worked as a doctor for the Sudanese government for 20 years. He returned to Lebanon and supported the Syrian Party, and spent all his wealth on the party.
In 1939, he was imprisoned by the French, until the independence in 1943.
In 1944, he went to Jordan and worked as a doctor for the Jordanian army until his death, in 1971.
He was buried in the Army Barracks in Amman, at the age of 73.
He married Wadad Daoud Talhouk.
He had two daughters – Hind and Hada (they married in Jordan).

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Dr. Shakib Talhouk

 

 

 

12. Dr. Shakib Talhouk
Born in 1903, he studied at University St Joseph, and graduated as a doctor in 1927. He practiced in his clinic in Riad el Solh area in Beirut for 45 years.
He married Samia Abdullah Talhouk.
He had one son – Raja – and three daughters – Salwa, Mona and Maha.

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Raja Shakib Talhouk

 

 

 

13. Raja Shakib Talhouk

Born in 1937 in Beirut and studied in Beirut. He was a businessman, worked in bank of Abou Jaoude of Beirut.
He married Mona, the daughter of Judge Kamel Baek Mizher, and had two daughters.

14. Shafic Farid Talhouk
Born in Beirut in 1907, he studied pharmacy at University St Joseph. In 1932, he inherited his father’s pharmacy in Sadat in Ras Beirut.
He married Dimona Najib Talhouk, divorcing after a few years. He then married Effat Salim Talhouk.
He died in 1964, and was buried in Aley.

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Mahmoud Salim Talhouk

 

 

15. Mahmoud Salim Talhouk
Born in Egypt in 1911, studied in Beirut at AUB, he was an agricultural engineer. He managed his father’s properties in Ain el Remmene, near Aley.
He married Salma Sami Abu Alwan, but the couple did not have children.
He established a farmer’s co-op and lived in Ain el Remmene.

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Omar Najib Talhouk

 

 

16. Omar Najib Talhouk

Born in Aytat in 1927. He moved to Aley with his mother and studied at Universal College, graduated and worked for a bank in Aley, and later became branch manager for Bank Al Arz.
He was also in charge of the electricity department in Aley.
He married the daughter of Abdul Munim Talhouk.
He had four sons – Ramzi, Nail, Naji, Houssam

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Khattar Talhouk

17. Khattar Hamoud Talhouk
Born in Baysour in 1864.
He studied there under the  private supervision of Sheikhs.
He married the Lady Amily Melhem Talhouk.
He had two sons – Shakib and Hamoud – and two daughters.
Shakib and Hamoud emigrated to Chile.
Shakib died in an airplane accident, and Hamoud remained in Chile (he had one son named Omar). Sheikh Khattar Talhouk was appointed Head of the North-West region in 1900. He died in Aley in 1939 and he was buried in the family cemetery. He was an honest man with integrity and well-respected by the community.

"A promising young man"

Baudenheimer

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Said Faour Talhouk
milhem-daher-talhouk-headshot
Melhem Daher Talhouk
Dr. SALIM MELHEM Talhouk
Dr. Shakib Talhouk
Raja Shakib Talhouk
Mahmoud Salim Talhouk
Omar Najib Talhouk
Khattar Talhouk

Talhouks of Aytat

1. Said Faour Talhouk

Born in 1827, studied in Beirut and returned to Aytat in 1857 with a law degree.
He was governor of Wadi Taym. The government appointed him president of the law in Baabda for 20 years.
He married with three children – Mohamed, Jamil and Alia.
He was honoured by the government at the time with the title Baek and awarded a Badge of Honor

He built a beautiful home in Aytat close to the home of his father. When his father died, he donated his inheritance in the building to his brother, Shibli.
He died in Aytat in 1903 and was buried in the grounds of his home.

2. Milhem Daher Hamad Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1831

He studied law in Beirut and Astana (Turkey), during the time of the Ottoman empire. He worked in the Sultan’s Castle in Istanbul for four years, then came to Lebanon, and occupied the Office of Law in Baabda.

He took over from Said Faour Talhouk. He was honoured with the title Baek and Badge of Honor.

He married Badr Assaad Talhouk and had seven children – Daoud, Salim, Najib, Wama, Amily, Jeni, Latifi. He died in 1908 in Aytat.

3. Hamad Assaad Hamad Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1842.
Studied in Beirut, fluent in Arabic, French & English.
He was in charge of the west area government. He was awarded Badge of Honor and title of Baek.
He married Nada Abdel Malak and had four children – Farid and Assaad, Amira and Samia.
He died in Beirut in 1923, his funeral in Aley, buried in family cemetery.

4. Abdul Hamid Hussein Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1851, he studied in Beirut. He was a commander in the Lebanese army, and soon after became a general in charge of Zhgarta area. He was close friends with Qabalan Franjiyeh.
He was a supporter of independence for the Arab nation from the Ottoman empire and because of this was exiled to Anatolia in 1914. He died in 1916 as a martyr for the republic.
He was married to Amma Milhem Talhouk and had two children – Hussein and Mohamed Amin.

5. Ali Abbas Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1865, he studied in Beirut and Astana (Turkey), became a lawyer and the government appointed him as a judge, he was in charge of the court in Aley for many years. He married Sada Hamad Talhouk. He had one son – Wadih, a poet, but he died at a young age.
Ali Abbas Talhouk died in 1932 and was buried in Aytat in the family cemetery.

6. Jamil Said Talhouk 

Born in Aytat in 1872, he studied in Beirut and Istana (Turkey), graduated as a lawyer, returned to Lebanon, practised his profession and worked as a diplomat.
He sold much of his property to continue with his political policies against the dictators.
He married his uncle’s daughter Chibli and had three sons – Said, Chibli and Hassib, and one daughter.
He divorced his wife and married Amini, the daughter of Mohamad Assaad Talhouk.
He died in 1930, and was buried in Aytat.

7. Dr Salim Melhem Talhouk

Born in Aytat in 1871, he studied in Beirut at University Saint Joseph. His father, Melhem Daher Talhouk, transferred him to the AUB, and he graduated as a doctor. He went overseas to France for one year, one year in Britain and one year in US, where he graduated from Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1897. He specialised in surgery, and ophthalmology, and returned to practice in Lebanon.
He married Amilia Hussein Talhouk and had two sons – Mahmoud and Abdul Munim, and one daughter – Effat.
He travelled to Egypt with his brother Najib, he became a very successful surgeon and invented eye drops, known as ‘Nile”.
It was considered a medical innovation in the Arab region and is still known until now.

He lived in Beirut, practising his profession, and built many stores in Aley. He bought large land in Aley opposite Gebeily Hotel and built two homes.
After Lebanon became independent, he was a senator in the Lebanese parliament – he served as Health Minister twice, during the time of Bechara el Khoury.
He died in 1953 and was buried in the family cemetery.

8. Farid Hamad Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1872. He studied in Beirut and Istana and graduated in pharmacy.
In 1901 he had a pharmacy in Beirut – Sahat el Burj – one of the largest pharmacies in Beirut.
He married Amini Mohamed Talhouk.
He had two sons – Shakib and Shafic – and two daughters – Khartoum and Sada.
He built a house in Ras Beirut. His son, Shakib became a doctor, and Shafic became a pharmacist, and took over his father’s business.
He died in Beirut in 1947 and was buried in Aley in the family cemetery.

9. Najib Melhem Talhouk
Born in Aytat in 1873, studied in Beirut and Istana, graduated in pharmacy, and went with his brother Salim to Egypt and established in Cairo “Qasr Nile” .
Najib came to Lebanon in 1925 and married Jamal Shafic Nakkedi.
He had one son – Omar.
He died in 1929 and was buried in Aytat in the family cemetery.

10. Assaad Hamad Talhouk
Born in 1888 in Aytat.
He studied at the AUB and enjoyed notoriety as an accomplished soccer player. He went to London to study architecture and became a manager for his father’s properties and built two properties in Ras Beirut – Sadat.
He married Latifi Mahmoud Talhouk.
He had one son – Ghaleb – and three daughters.

11. Dr Mohamed Amin Talhouk
Born in 1898 in Aytat. Graduated from AUB as a doctor and went to Sudan. He worked as a doctor for the Sudanese government for 20 years. He returned to Lebanon and supported the Syrian Party, and spent all his wealth on the party.
In 1939, he was imprisoned by the French, until the independence in 1943.
In 1944, he went to Jordan and worked as a doctor for the Jordanian army until his death, in 1971.
He was buried in the Army Barracks in Amman, at the age of 73.
He married Wadad Daoud Talhouk.
He had two daughters – Hind and Hada (they married in Jordan).

12. Dr. Shakib Talhouk
Born in 1903, he studied at University St Joseph, and graduated as a doctor in 1927. He practiced in his clinic in Riad el Solh area in Beirut for 45 years.
He married Samia Abdullah Talhouk.
He had one son – Raja – and three daughters – Salwa, Mona and Maha.

13. Raja Shakib Talhouk

Born in 1937 in Beirut and studied in Beirut. He was a businessman, worked in bank of Abou Jaoude of Beirut.
He married Mona, the daughter of Judge Kamel Baek Mizher, and had two daughters.

14. Shafic Farid Talhouk
Born in Beirut in 1907, he studied pharmacy at University St Joseph. In 1932, he inherited his father’s pharmacy in Sadat in Ras Beirut.
He married Dimona Najib Talhouk, divorcing after a few years. He then married Effat Salim Talhouk.
He died in 1964, and was buried in Aley.

15. Mahmoud Salim Talhouk
Born in Egypt in 1911, studied in Beirut at AUB, he was an agricultural engineer. He managed his father’s properties in Ain el Remmene, near Aley.
He married Salma Sami Abu Alwan, but the couple did not have children.
He established a farmer’s co-op and lived in Ain el Remmene.

16. Omar Najib Talhouk

Born in Aytat in 1927. He moved to Aley with his mother and studied at Universal College, graduated and worked for a bank in Aley, and later became branch manager for Bank Al Arz.
He was also in charge of the electricity department in Aley.
He married the daughter of Abdul Munim Talhouk.
He had four sons – Ramzi, Nail, Naji, Houssam

17. Khattar Hamoud Talhouk
Born in Baysour in 1864.
He studied there under the  private supervision of Sheikhs.
He married the Lady Amily Melhem Talhouk.
He had two sons – Shakib and Hamoud – and two daughters.
Shakib and Hamoud emigrated to Chile.
Shakib died in an airplane accident, and Hamoud remained in Chile (he had one son named Omar). Sheikh Khattar Talhouk was appointed Head of the North-West region in 1900. He died in Aley in 1939 and he was buried in the family cemetery. He was an honest man with integrity and well-respected by the community.

"A promising young man"

Baudenheimer

Talhouks of Aley

1. Hussein Mahmoud Tahouk
Born in Aley in 1846.
Educated through private teachers, after his father died at the age of 14.
Managed his father’s properties.
He built the Souk – Sayha – Aley, building more than 20 merchant shops.
He opened the road from the Souk in Aley to m’Sheikh district.
He participated actively in tourism and helped to create a name for Aley as a summer tourist destination.
He built Khan Sheikh (Round Point).
He convinced family friends – including Boustros – to buy and build property in Aley – they built two castles.

He married Zalfa Assaad Talhouk and had three sons – Nassib, Mahmoud and Jamil, and three daughters – Latifi, Sharifi and Amilia.

He was the manager of the western area (Aley) in 1893, for three years.
He died in 1916, during WWI.

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Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk

2. Najib Mahmoud Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1853.
Like his older brother Hussein, he studied at home with private teachers.
He built a castle in Aley – m’Sheikh area – and brought furniture from Europe.
He was also manager of the western area – In 1896, after his brother was retired, he occupied the position for three years.
He married Faridi Melhem Talhouk.
He had two sons – Farid and Ramis, and two daughters – Anisi and Asma.
He died in 1907, at the age of 54.

3. Melhem Nassif Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1851.
He also received his education at home, from private teachers.
He completed his studies in Beirut at Al Hekmeh.
He was close friends with the Fakhieh family.
He built a beautiful home in Aley, next to his cousin Najib Mahmoud Talhouk.
He was the accountant for the government, for the region of Mount Lebanon.

He was friends with Nemer Chamoun, father of the President Camille Chamoun.
He died suddenly in Aley in 1887.
He married Zain Assaad Talhouk.

He had two sons – Amin and Ibrahim, and three daughters – Latifi, Sharifi and Faridi

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Melhem Nassif Talhouk

4. Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1872.
He studied in Beirut at Al Hekmeh.
He was also appointed manager of the western district in 1902, and remained in that position for two years.
He was the first mayor of Aley – in 1908, and retained that position for four years.
He brought the water from Hammana to Aley, financing the project with 100 gold lira.
In 1927, he was again appointed mayor of Aley Council. He resigned from the position after his brother, Jamil, was elected to Parliament.
He encouraged tourism in Aley and assisted many families to establish their base in Aley.
He monitored the construction work of the Hotel Gebeily for the Gebeily brothers, as though it was his own project.
He married Adele Mohamed Nassif Talhouk.
He had two sons – Fadlallah and Hussein, and three daughters – Wadad, Latifi, Roda.
He died in Aley in 1960 and was buried in the family cemetery.

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Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk

5. Dr. Jamil Hussein Talhouk
Born in 1884 in Aley.
Graduated as a doctor from the AUB, his father sent him to London to study as a specialist.
When he returned, he opened a clinic and pharmacy in Aley.
He donated his services to those in need.

In 1914, he served as a doctor in the Ottoman Army, closing his pharmacy until the end of WWI.
In 1922, he served in the Lebanese parliament for 12 years – in the ministries of health and agriculture.
In 1953, he was (again) mayor of Aley and held that position for two years, before resigning for health reasons.

Towards the end of his life, Kamal Joumblatt visited him on a weekly basis, where they would discuss the interests and needs of the people of the Mountain region.
He was friends with Abdul Hamid Karame, when they were both members of Parliament.
When Karame went to Egypt to attend Arab Congress meetings, he appointed Dr Jamil in charge of the Parliament – Head of Senate – he was the only Druze politician to have ever held that position.

He married Samia Hamad Talhouk and had two sons – Afif and Sami.
He was buried in Aley

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Dr. Jamil Hussein Talhouk

6. Najib Mohamed Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1892.
Studied in Beirut at Al Hakmeh.
He was mayor of Aley, and one of the most wealthy members of the family.
He married Bahia Nakkade
He had four sons – Mohamed, Omar, Abdul Munim and Khaled, and two daughters – Aida and Dimona.
Abdul Munim and Dimona lived overseas.

7. Ibrahim Melhem Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1884
Studied in Beirut at University St Joseph and graduated in 1901, was in charge of the western Aley district for 10 years.
In 1916 he left with his family to live in Araya, and looked after the family property. He remained in Araya for 2 years.
On 11 November 1918 he returned to Aley and the French government appointed him in charge of the western area. After 18 months, he was transferred to Choueifat.
He presided in the Military Court until he retired.
He was give the title Baek.
He married Hafiza Abdel Malak.
He had four sons – Milhem, Nassif, Salim and Fouad.
He died in 1957 and was buried in the family cemetery in Aley.

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Ibrahim Melhem Talhouk

8. Melhem Ibrahim Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1908

He studied law and graduated in 1932, and continued studying and teaching law for a further nine years.

In 1941, under the presidency of Alfred Naccache, he was appointed Head of the High Court. He retained this position until 1945.

In 1950, he was appointed by the Lebanese government as the first ambassador in Brazil. He later served as an advisor to the Lebanese Embassy in Madrid, where he stayed for two years. He went on to become Ambassador to Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.

IN 1966, he was appointed head of the Department of Education in Lebanon, and signed two agreements with Italy and Belgium in 1972.

He was awarded Badges of Honour in many countries, including Lebanon, Colombia, Peru, Belgium and Italy.

milhem-ibrahim-talhouk
Melhem Ibrahim Talhouk

9. Abdul Munim Talhouk

Born in 1913 – a leading international authority on insects – read the full biography here

Dr Abdul Munim was the first entomologist in Lebanon to take a close interest in the life of insects, his work has become an essential reference for his colleagues in America, Europe and the Middle East.

He worked in Saudi Arabia, Germany, Iran and lectured at the AUB.

In recognition of this  achievements, one genus and twelve species from Arabia and thirteen species from Lebanon and Syria were named after him.

Abdul Munim was married to Reda and had three daughters.

 

abdul-munim-talhouk-entomologist
Abdul Munim Talhouk

 

10. Salim Ibrahim Talhouk
Born in 1914
He studied at University Saint Joseph, and after graduating was employed by the French Army.
After the 1943 independence, he was in charge of the Ministry of Defence.
He retired in 1978 and was awarded the Medal of Honor Cedars.
He married Ina’am Hassib Abdel Malak. He had two sons – Samir and Sami

salim-ibrahim-talhouk-3
Salim Ibrahim Talhouk

11. Fadlallah Mahmoud Talhouk
Born in 1915, the son of Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk.
He studied at University Saint Joseph and after graduating became president of an American company (Aramco).
After the retirement of his uncle, Dr Jamil Talhouk, he was honored by the mayor of Aley, and Kamal Joumblatt paid him respect by placing an abaya over his shoulders.
In 1960, he became a member of Parliament, for 12 years, until 1972.
He had three sons – Adil, Riad and Fadi, and two daughters – Adele and Hala.

The image below includes Fadlallah Talhouk, with Sheikh Mohammed Abu Shakra and Emir Majid Arslan, in 1958.

fadlallah-talhouk
Fadlallah Mahmoud Talhouk

 

 

12. Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
Born in 1919
He studied at Universal College in Aley, then graduated in law in Beirut.
He practised law in Aley, before becoming a judge and transferred to Saida.
He then became a judge in the Military Court in Beirut.
He transformed his father’s home in Aley – it was more than 200 years old, the first family home for the Talhouks in Aley.
He married Amal Hamdan.
He had one son – Ziad, and two daughters – Zalfa and Hind.

hussein-mahmoud-talhouk-5
Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk

13. Afif Jamil Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1925

Studied at Aley Universal College, then AUB.
He worked in the US Embassy.
Later, he lectured in business management, and managed his brother’s properties.
He married Iqbal Badih Nakkade.
He had two sons – Jamil and Mazen, and two daughters.

14. Dr Sami Jamil Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1927
He studied at Universal College in Aley, then AUB.
In 1957 he went to the USA, and became a specialist in the treatment of leukaemia.
He later returned to Lebanon and lectured at the Lebanese University.
In 1975, he returned to the US, and lectured in Las Angeles.
He was married with two daughters.

 

 

15. Toufic Melhem Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1939
He studied in the Freres University, Beirut
then studied in Madrid and Alexandria
He returned to Beirut and lectured in law at University Saint Joseph.
He later worked in the banking system – in charge of the BBAC in Hamra for many years, then working at Bank Mawarid HQ in Beirut.
He married Amal Abdul Munim Talhouk.
They had one son – Ibrahim, and two daughters – Zain and May.

 

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Toufic Melhem Talhouk

Talhouks of Aley

1. Hussein Mahmoud Tahouk
Born in Aley in 1846.
Educated through private teachers, after his father died at the age of 14.
Managed his father’s properties.
He built the Souk – Sayat – Aley and had more than 20 merchant shops.
He opened the road from the Souk in Aley to m’Sheikh district.
He participated actively in tourism and helped to create a name for Aley as a summer tourist destination.
He built Khan Sheikh (Round Point).
He convinced family friends – including Boustros – to buy and build property in Aley – they built two castles.

He married Zalfa Assaad Talhouk and had three sons – Nassib, Mahmoud and Jamil, and three daughters – Latifi, Sharifi and Amilia.

He was the manager of the western area (Aley) in 1893, for three years.
In 1916, during WWI, he died.

2. Najib Mahmoud Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1853.
Like his older brother Hussein, he studied at home with private teachers.
He built a castle in Aley – m’Sheikh area – and brought furniture from Europe.
He was also manager of the western area – In 1896, after his brother was retired, he occupied the position for three years.
He married Faridi Melhem Talhouk.
He had two sons – Farid and Ramis, and two daughters – Anisi and Asma.
He died in 1907, at the age of 54.

3. Melhem Nassif Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1851.
He also received his education at home, from private teachers.
He completed his studies in Beirut at Al Hekmeh.
He was close friends with the Fakhieh family.
He built a beautiful home in Aley, next to his cousin Najib Mahmoud Talhouk.
He was the accountant for the government, for the region of Mount Lebanon.

He was friends with Nemer Chamoun, father of the President Camille Chamoun.
He died suddenly in Aley in 1887.
He married Zain Assaad Talhouk.

He had two sons – Amin and Ibrahim, and three daughters – Latifi, Sharifi and Faridi

4. Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1872.
He studied in Beirut at Al Hekmeh.
He was also appointed manager of the western district in 1902, and remained in that position for two years.
He was the first mayor of Aley – in 1908, and retained that position for four years.
He brought the water from Hammana to Aley, financing the project with 100 gold lira.
In 1927, he was again appointed mayor of Aley Council. He resigned from the position after his brother, Jamil, was elected to Parliament.
He encouraged tourism in Aley and assisted many families to establish their base in Aley.
He monitored the construction work of the Hotel Gebeily for the Gebeily brothers, as though it was his own project.
He married Adele Mohamed Nassif Talhouk.
He had two sons – Fadlallah and Hussein, and three daughters – Wadad, Latifi, Roda.
He died in Aley in 1960 and was buried in the family cemetery.

5. Dr. Jamil Hussein Talhouk
Born in 1884 in Aley.
Graduated as a doctor from the AUB, his father sent him to London to study as a specialist.
When he returned, he opened a clinic and pharmacy in Aley.
He donated his services to those in need.

In 1914, he served as a doctor in the Ottoman Army, closing his pharmacy until the end of WWI.
In 1922, he served in the Lebanese parliament for 12 years – in the ministries of health and agriculture.
In 1953, he was (again) mayor of Aley and held that position for two years, before resigning for health reasons.

Towards the end of his life, Kamal Joumblatt visited him on a weekly basis, where they would discuss the interests and needs of the people of the Mountain region.
He was friends with Abdul Hamid Karame, when they were both members of Parliament.
When Karame went to Egypt to attend Arab Congress meetings, he appointed Dr Jamil in charge of the Parliament – Head of Senate – he was the only Druze politician to have ever held that position.

He married Samia Hamad Talhouk and had two sons – Afif and Sami.
He was buried in Aley

6. Najib Mohamed Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1892.
Studied in Beirut at Al Hakmeh.
He was mayor of Aley, and one of the most wealthy members of the family.
He married Bahia Nakkade
He had four sons – Mohamed, Omar, Abdul Munim and Khaled, and two daughters – Aida and Dimona.
Abdul Munim and Dimona lived overseas.

7. Ibrahim Melhem Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1884
Studied in Beirut at University St Joseph and graduated in 1901, was in charge of the western Aley district for 10 years.
In 1916 he left with his family to live in Araya, and looked after the family property. He remained in Araya for 2 years.
On 11 November 1918 he returned to Aley and the French government appointed him in charge of the western area. After 18 months, he was transferred to Choueifat.
He presided in the Military Court until he retired.
He was give the title Baek.
He married Hafiza Abdel Malak.
He had four sons – Milhem, Nassif, Salim and Fouad.
He died in 1957 and was buried in the family cemetery in Aley.

8. Melhem Ibrahim Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1908

He studied law and graduated in 1932, and continued studying and teaching law for a further nine years.

In 1941, under the presidency of Alfred Naccache, he was appointed Head of the High Court. He retained this position until 1945.

In 1950, he was appointed by the Lebanese government as the first ambassador in Brazil. He later served as an advisor to the Lebanese Embassy in Madrid, where he stayed for two years. He went on to become Ambassador to Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.

IN 1966, he was appointed head of the Department of Education in Lebanon, and signed two agreements with Italy and Belgium in 1972.

He was awarded Badges of Honour in many countries, including Lebanon, Colombia, Peru, Belgium and Italy.

9. Abdul Munim Talhouk

Born in 1913 – a leading international authority on insects – read the full biography here

10. Salim Ibrahim Talhouk
Born in 1914
He studied at University Saint Joseph, and after graduating was employed by the French Army.
After the 1943 independence, he was in charge of the Ministry of Defence.
He retired in 1978 and was awarded the Medal of Honor Cedars.
He married Ina’am Hassib Abdel Malak. He had two sons – Samir and Sami

11. Fadlallah Mahmoud Talhouk
Born in 1915, the son of Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk.
He studied at University Saint Joseph and after graduating became president of an American company (Aramco).
After the retirement of his uncle, Dr Jamil Talhouk, he was elected mayor of Aley, and Kamal Joumblatt honoured him by placing an abaya over his shoulders.
In 1960, he became a member of Parliament, for 12 years, until 1972.
He had three sons – Adil, Riad and Fadi, and two daughters – Adele and Hala.

The image below includes Fadlallah Talhouk, with Sheikh Mohammed Abu Shakra and Emir Majid Arlsan, in 1958.

12. Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
Born in 1919
He studied at Universal College in Aley, then graduated in law in Beirut.
He practised law in Aley, before becoming a judge and transferred to Saida.
He then became a judge in the Military Court in Beirut.
He transformed his father’s home in Aley – it was more than 200 years old, the first family home for the Talhouks in Aley.
He married Amal Hamdan.
He had one son – Ziad, and two daughters – Zalfa and Hind.

13. Afif Jamil Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1925

Studied at Aley Universal College, then AUB.
He worked in the US Embassy.
Later, he lectured in business management, and managed his brother’s properties.
He married Iqbal Badih Nakkade.
He had two sons – Jamil and Mazen, and two daughters.

14. Dr Sami Jamil Talhouk
Born in Aley in 1927
He studied at Universal College in Aley, then AUB.
In 1957 he went to the USA, and became a specialist in the treatment of leukaemia.
He later returned to Lebanon and lectured at the Lebanese University.
In 1975, he returned to the US, and lectured in Las Angeles.
He was married with two daughters.

15. Toufic Melhem Talhouk

Born in Aley in 1939
He studied in the Freres University, Beirut
then studied in Madrid and Alexandria
He returned to Beirut and lectured in law at University Saint Joseph.
He later worked in the banking system – in charge of the BBAC in Hamra for many years, then working at Bank Mawarid HQ in Beirut.
He married Amal Abdul Munim Talhouk.
They had one son – Ibrahim, and two daughters – Zain and May.

 

Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
Melhem Nassif Talhouk
Mahmoud Hussein Talhouk
Dr. Jamil Hussein Talhouk
Ibrahim Melhem Talhouk
milhem-ibrahim-talhouk
Melhem Ibrahim Talhouk
abdul-munim-talhouk-lebaese-scientist
Abdul Munim Talhouk
Salim Ibrahim Talhouk
Fadlallah Mahmoud Talhouk
Hussein Mahmoud Talhouk
Toufic Melhem Talhouk

Talhouk Family Tree - Ahmad Abu Joumblatt

Talhouk Family Tree - Bachir

Talhouk Family Tree - Aytat

Talhouk Family Tree - Aley

Talhouk Family Tree - Baysour

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Heather & Sami Eljurdi

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