This, That and Then
Continuing with the writings of Robert H. Hoge’s “Thoughts on This and That”, Madeline established her own blog thus giving it a modern twist. Her focus is on Family Business, History, Strategic Planning, Training/Education, Governance and Legacy.
Not Just A Number: Why Name A House?
If your home address is number 42, it might be significant to you if you have seen the movie, “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. In the movie, 42 was the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Although this was a symbolic number in the movie, it might not resonate with you. Numbers, however, can have a lot of meaning for different people. When it comes to your dream home, having an ordinary number amongst the masses might not be the answer to the “Ultimate Question of Everything.” How do you make your dream home a place symbolizing your family story, values or significance for many generations to come?
Renovate or Restore a Historic Structure? One Family's Quest
Our family’s journey started five years ago when we bought Belle-Hampton Farm. We have since restored the Bank Barn, the Cottage, the General’s Store and now the Belle-Hampton House. All the structures are historic landmarks which takes time and thought to the planning the renovations. But did we actually restore the structures or renovate them? And why is it important to preserve the historic structures?
Releasing the Superpower: Turning a perceived challenge into a desirable difficulty
What does Henry Ford, Charles Schwab, Richard Branson, David Murdock, Steve Jobs, Ted Turner, Walt Disney and Nelson Rockefeller have in common? If you guessed they are all entrepreneurs or all millionaires, you would be right. But you might not have realized they are all Dyslexic, the new superpower or as some researchers say, a “desired difficulty”.
After reading various articles on how family businesses can accommodate this disability, I became confused then irritated. Why did the authors think it was a problem that had to be fixed instead of a gift to be nourished? And why did so many successful businesspeople flourish when society believes it is a disability?
It Starts with an Ordinary Story
Perpetuating family bonds into the future generations including the history, the core values, traditions and memories can be a challenge as a business family grows and time marches on. Typically, a family will keep a scrap book with pictures, but sometimes the person holding those pictures pass away before the names and story is written down. A senior family member may have spent time working on a family tree that the next generation pays little attention to. Often, I hear elder members say they should write an autobiography, but never seem to get something written down. How do you preserve all of these everyday, ordinary stories, reflecting values, traditions and keep the family bonds strong?
Before Belle-Hampton: A Brief History of Hoge and Howe Family
To understand the life stories of those who lived at Belle-Hampton and neighboring Sunnyside, we need to begin with a brief history of their ancesters. Prominent names such as De Jarnette, Shannon, Cecil and Trollinger are all buried in the Sunnyside cemetery, however, the main families we will be discussing at length are Hoge and Howe who's descendants are intertwined. Both the Hoge's and the Howe's were the progenitors of their family in the New River Valley. Joseph Howe was engaged in blazing the Catawba trail in 1750 and moved to Sunnyside shortly after along with James Hoge. But their families came across the pond much earlier.
Legends Lost
Stories often die with the person and lost forever. When I ask people about writing their story they often say that their life isn't that interesting or who would want to read it? I truly believe everyone has a story to tell; a lesson to pass along to future generations. The struggles, the passion, the failure and their success gives future generations perspective in this fast paced world.
One of those tall tale stories was about my Great Grandpa Adam in 1912. He was at work at the sugar refinery and the entire factory erupted with an explosion and collapsed into rubble and fire. Wives and families arrived at the scene looking for their husbands and sons. Many were killed. The explosion threw some into St. Mary’s Cemetery adjoining the refinery. Others could not be found, including grandpa. Some five or six hours after Marie, his wife, arrived back home, Grandpa Adam walked back into the house, where he told an incredible story.