Lin family from Banciao

The Lin family from Banciao (Chinese: 板橋林家), also known for their house name Lin Pen Yuen (林本源; rōmaji: "Rin Hon Gen"), are a Taiwanese family of businesspersons, politicians, and scholars. They rose from the era of Qing Dynasty, and are still active in present Taiwan. In June 2008, the Forbes ranked Lin Ming-cheng (林明成) as the 20th richest in Taiwan. [cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/87/biz_taiwanrichest08_Lin-Ming-cheng_TPVX.html |title=Taiwan's Richest: #20 Lin Ming-cheng |accessdate=2008-08-01 |work= |publisher=Forbes |date= ] He is a member of the seventh generation of the family, and the chairman of Hua Nan Financial Holdings.

Origin

The family were descended from Lin Ying-yin (林應寅), who immigrated, with his son Lin Ping-hou (林平侯), from Zhangzhou of Fujian to Hsinchuang of Taiwan in 1784. They enriched by managing the rice business. Afterward, Lin Ping-hou separated his property into five portions, the "Yin"(飲), "Shui" (水), "Pen" (本), "Ssu" (思) and "Yuen" (源), which respectively received by his five sons, Lin Kuo-tung (林國棟), Lin Kuo-jen (林國仁), Lin Kuo-hua (林國華), Lin Kuo-ying (林國英), and Lin Kuo-fang (林國芳). Two of the brothers, Lin Kuo-hua and Lin Kuo-fang, reassociated later. As a result, the company of "Lin Pen Yuen" formed.

Legacy

The Lin Family Mansion and Garden, the house of family, is a typical Chinese garden which was appointed as a national monument in Taiwan.

References