Hormel Historic Home

  • Home
    • HHH History
    • The Open Road-Autobiography
    • Do History @ Home
  • Weddings
    • Mini-Mony Wedding
    • Grooms/Rehearsal Dinner
    • Just Say "I Do" Wedding
    • Wedding & Event Showcase
  • Membership
  • Hospitality/Tours
    • Tours For All Ages
    • Lillian's Table
    • Little Lillian Tea Party
    • Event Rentals
    • Holiday Open House & Christmas Tours
    • Visit the HHH & Austin
    • Events Archive
  • Autism Programming
    • Autism Friendly Austin
    • ASD Recreation Events
    • All Access Community Explorations
    • Camp Just for Me
    • Circle of Friends Day Camp
  • Music/Education
    • Harris Music Contest
    • Music @ the Mansion
    • History for Half Pints Children's Programming
    • History Happy Hour/Hump Day History
  • Calendar/Tickets
  • Newsletter/Blog
    • Blog
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate Now
  • Home
    • HHH History
    • The Open Road-Autobiography
    • Do History @ Home
  • Weddings
    • Mini-Mony Wedding
    • Grooms/Rehearsal Dinner
    • Just Say "I Do" Wedding
    • Wedding & Event Showcase
  • Membership
  • Hospitality/Tours
    • Tours For All Ages
    • Lillian's Table
    • Little Lillian Tea Party
    • Event Rentals
    • Holiday Open House & Christmas Tours
    • Visit the HHH & Austin
    • Events Archive
  • Autism Programming
    • Autism Friendly Austin
    • ASD Recreation Events
    • All Access Community Explorations
    • Camp Just for Me
    • Circle of Friends Day Camp
  • Music/Education
    • Harris Music Contest
    • Music @ the Mansion
    • History for Half Pints Children's Programming
    • History Happy Hour/Hump Day History
  • Calendar/Tickets
  • Newsletter/Blog
    • Blog
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate Now

A Look at George's Father

6/22/2018

0 Comments

 
In honor of Father’s Day I share a glimpse into the character of John George Hormel, George A. Hormel’s beloved father. George was very influenced by his father, and his death in 1896 came as a shock and blow to George as he had found great comfort in having him in Austin.  George wrote of how his father’s death impacted the family.
 
“Nothing I had ever faced before required so much fortitude. The world had become an indescribably lonely place. While he lived, there had always been a warm flowing sympathy, a well of inspiration ready and waiting for each one of us to partake. And none of us, I think, until the day he wasn’t there, had ever realized how often we had gone to him for understanding and help.”
 
Following this loss, George continued to be motivated by the character he saw reflected in the life of his father.  His obituary, from the May 7, 1896 Austin Register, described a man who was cherished by his family and all those around him.
 
“John George Hormel was born in Germany, near Frankfort on the Main, July 24, 1830. At four years of age he came with his parents to Buffalo, New York… In 1865 he removed with his wife and four children to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in the tannery business under the firm name of Hormel and Heyer, until 1890, when he retired. But his energetic spirit chaffed under severance from business interests, and in July 1895, at the urgent solicitation of his family, he removed to Austin, Minnesota, that he might enjoy the activity of business with his sons without bearing its cares and responsibilities.

Here he was so renewed in heath and strength that it seemed as if his best and happiest years were yet before him, when he should see the fruits of his life long consecration to home and family and God.

But one week ago Wednesday night, April 29, he was taken with severe chills, followed by la Grippe and pneumonia. From this he sank rapidly, and Wednesday morning quietly breathed his last, at 5:30, surrounded by most of his family.

Mr. Hormel was a life-long member of the German Reformed Church, an earnest, consistent Christian. His disposition was a peculiarly happy one -- a blending of gentleness and firmness, contentment and ambition. In business he was both conservative and energetic. In his home he was remarkable for his ingenious ability of entering into and appreciating the natural endowments of each one of his children, so as to encourage and develop each along their own chosen line of life work. No one was constrained or discouraged but each was trained regardless of expense or self-sacrifice for whatever vocation they wished to enter.”


Wishing you all a day of celebration of those who have made or continue to make an impact on your life.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Blog

    To read previous posts
    Click Here

    Archives

    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    June 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

 ​Trip Advisor
YouTube Channel: Tours and Videos
Donate Now
Office and Tour Hours 
 Monday-Friday 10am-4:30pm
If you are traveling from a distance you're welcome to call us to check tour hour updates as we sometimes have events who rent the historic house for special events.  We also update our social media if hours will differ.
Special Event Hours Vary
Hormel Historic Home
208 4th Ave. NW
Austin, MN  55912
507-433-4243
Executive Director:
Cindy Meany
cindy@hormelhistorichome.org
Operations Manager:
Amanda Barber
amanda@hormelhistorichome.org​

Community Autism Resource Specialist:

Mary Barinka
autism@hormelhistorichome.org
Newsletter:      ​View the current newsletter    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter by submitting your e-mail on the home page.
© Copyright 2021. Hormelhistorichome.org. All rights reserved.