Lin Ben Yuan Family

Lin Hsiung-cheng, of the sixth generation, was the richest person in Taiwan in the late Japanese-ruled era.^[1]

The Lin Ben Yuan^[2] (Chinese: 林本源; pinyin: Lín Běnyuǎn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lîm Pún-goân; rōmaji: Rin Hon Gen), also known as the Banqiao Lin Family (板橋林家), are a Taiwanese family of businesspeople, politicians, and scholars. They rose from Banqiao, Taipei during the era of the Qing Dynasty and are still active in present Taiwan.

In June 2008, Forbes ranked Lin Ming-cheng (林明成) as the 20th richest person in Taiwan.^[3] 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 Xinzhuang of Qing-era 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), "Ben" (本), "Si" (思) and "Yuan" (源), which were respectively received by his five sons: Lin Guodong (林國棟), Lin Guoren (林國仁), Lin Guohua (林國華), Lin Guoying (林國英), and Lin Guofang (林國芳). Two of the brothers, Lin Guohua and Lin Guofang, reassociated later. As a result, the company of "Lin Ben Yuan" formed.

Legacy

"Ji Gu Shu Wu", a library in the Lin Family Mansion and Garden.

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