François du Four
Encyclopedia
Baron François du Four was a Belgian
industrialist. He married Germaine Henry in 1902, and together they had seven daughters and a son.
When his mother, Josephina Frederika Dessauer, died in 1904, he became he owner of the family business Brepols
, a paper - and playing card factory. The company at that moment had about 1000 employees. From 1919 up to 1932 François du Four was mayor of Turnhout. In 1929, King Albert I of Belgium
knighted him and granted him the title of baron
. The heraldic motto of the du Fours is Melius esse quam vider, which means it is better to be than to seem, and their own weapon-shield, represents a lion.
In Turnhout there is a street named after him: the baron François du Four street, which starts on the central market place of Turnhout. In this street the old factory buildings of Brepols were located. In 1945, Francois du Four died at the age of 74.
François du Four liked racing-horses. His thoroughbred
s won a lot of races and a lot of price money. After he died, regretfully, all his horses were sold. In 1904, he had bought a small farm in Retie
with neighboring pasture. He was especially looking for a place where he could breed thoroughbreds. In 1905, he started with the construction of the park where now the castle of Retie stands. In 1906, he started the building of a castle and the stables for his horses.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
industrialist. He married Germaine Henry in 1902, and together they had seven daughters and a son.
When his mother, Josephina Frederika Dessauer, died in 1904, he became he owner of the family business Brepols
Brepols
Brepols was once one of the largest printing companies of the world and one of the main employers in Turnhout . Besides its printing business, Brepols is also active as a publisher...
, a paper - and playing card factory. The company at that moment had about 1000 employees. From 1919 up to 1932 François du Four was mayor of Turnhout. In 1929, King Albert I of Belgium
Albert I of Belgium
Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...
knighted him and granted him the title of baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
. The heraldic motto of the du Fours is Melius esse quam vider, which means it is better to be than to seem, and their own weapon-shield, represents a lion.
In Turnhout there is a street named after him: the baron François du Four street, which starts on the central market place of Turnhout. In this street the old factory buildings of Brepols were located. In 1945, Francois du Four died at the age of 74.
François du Four liked racing-horses. His thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s won a lot of races and a lot of price money. After he died, regretfully, all his horses were sold. In 1904, he had bought a small farm in Retie
Retie
Retie is a municipality located in the Campine region of the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Retie proper. On 1 January 2006 Retie had a total population of 10,321...
with neighboring pasture. He was especially looking for a place where he could breed thoroughbreds. In 1905, he started with the construction of the park where now the castle of Retie stands. In 1906, he started the building of a castle and the stables for his horses.
Source
- Walter Raeymakers, Baron François du Four. Een leven tussen drukpersen renpaarden en politiek, Turnhout, Brepols, 1995.