Background
Mr. Lin was born in Zhongshan, Guangdong, China, in 1868.
Mr. Lin was born in Zhongshan, Guangdong, China, in 1868.
Tsi-yuan Lin received his early education in the schools of his native town and specialized in English.
Mr. Lin went to Japan and set up an import and export business at Yokohama in 1886 and stayed there until 1908, when he went to Hong Kong and opened the Wai Mei Hong import firm dealing in European dried goods and sundries. In 1914 he was appointed manager for the Sincere Company branch store in Kobe and remained in this position until 1925 when he went to Tianjin and established the Chung Yuen Co. and became general manager.