The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-01-13

standard. has been extraordinarily
sucressful The Cranberry Iron mines,
and the road leading from there TO
johnson City, Tenn, became profit
able and valuable properties under
his direction and administration of
their affairs. He was the read head
in the building and construction of
the Georgia and North Carolina rail-
road. now a part of the SeaboarG,
which runs from Monroe to Atlanta.
General Hoke has always taken an
! intelligent and conservative interest
/ in political matters, but he has when
I sought (as has been the case often)
to become a candidate always posi-
lively refused to permit his name to
he used in connection with any politi-
cal office. The people of North Car
Olina would have been proud to have
| placed him in any responsible Office,
but his iron will and fixed purpose
prevented it. Gov Vance prevailed
on him to accept he directorship of
the North Carolina road; later he
was made and is now a director on
thr part of the private stockholders
of said road. His wisdom, when the
80 year lease of this road was being
made to the Southern, made the lease
contract such a good ore that no
State or Federal legislation now or
hereafter can materially affect the
returns to the holders of the stock.
He was careful, wise and long headed,
and his contention at that time has
| already prevented the lease from be-
coming a poor business proposition
for the State and the stockholders.
Several years ago when he had ac-
cumulated splendid estate, and the
warnings of a serious illness called a
halt in the activity of his industrial
career, he retired to the Lincoln
Lithia Springs property, which he
| and several other parties own. His
health was restored. He formed a
club of 200 members, which took
over the property of $50 acres on
which one of the finest lithia springs
known is to be found As it's presi-
| dent and general manager. General
| HOke is making of the Lincoln Lithia
Springs one of the finest properties
in the State. 1t is with him a labO,
of love and interest. When his plane
| are fully developed, there can b
found nowhere a spot more cOndu
Give to rest, happiness and health.
General HOke was once asked what
suggestion he would offer to the
young; he replied: ''Strict attention
to all duties of life" That, as | see
it and know him, has been the rule of
his own life. He is never idle-though
72 years of age. he is active, erect
and vigorous of mind and body. He
is a gentleman of the old school,
cOmpassionable in spirit, thoughtful
in speech, considerate to the weak
and courteous to the strong. He
comes nearer attending strictly to
his own business and letting severely
alone that OF all others than any
man | ever knew. He does not have
to try to do this. General Hoke sees
the bright side of things-he is hope
ful-he has faith in folks-and pessi-
mism is thing that he knows moth
ing about. This meanest thing [ ever
heard him say about any person was
when he was asked about q certain
gentleman (the man in question is
measly and miserably stingy)"Why," "
replied the General, che is very care
full with his money"
General Hoke was married January
7th, 1869, to Miss Lydia A. Van
Wyck, of South Carolina, and to
them have been born six children, of
whom four are living: Mr.. Van Wyck
Hoke, of LincOlnton; DR.. Michael
Hoke, of Atlanta; Mrs. Alexander
Webb, of Raleigh; and Mrs. W. P.
Pollock, of Kinston.
Here's to the good health and long
life of North Cardinals greatest sol
dier, the strong believer in man and
ardent lover of his State