Great- Grandparents
Ina Catherine Simms, Edward Kite Graves
Ina Catherine Simms was born in Richmond, VA to a relatively upper-class family, and Edward was as well, but to a slightly lesser extent. The two, when they had met at a party at, guess where, UVA, found each other and promptly got married. Combined, they had inherited a sizable amount of wealth, and Edward chose to go into business with it. Dabbling in a variety of trades, he developed his wealth to a point at which he could retire at a relatively young age. Sadly, Edward's relatively premature death due to smoking haunted Iva, and she spent much of her retirement in a depressed state.
Event #1: Purchase of Rose River Vineyards: October 1942
This event marked a major turning point in Edward's life: a shift to the major leagues in business. Its purchase marked the first major investment he made, and a great stepping stone to future prosperity.
Event #2: Death of Iva Graves: August 21, 1995. A short description reads below:
Outside Event #1: WWI
The lives of my great-grandparents came during dire times. Specifically, Edward was born in 1909, which meant that he experienced WWI for much of his boyhood. Specifically, according to my parents and great grandparents, growing up in a time of war was NOT great for Edward. He had always been known as gentle, and the concept of war really turned him off. He was the sort of kid who was mocked for being the least athletic of the bunch, and the most antisocial as well. I can certainly identify with that.
The lives of my great-grandparents came during dire times. Specifically, Edward was born in 1909, which meant that he experienced WWI for much of his boyhood. Specifically, according to my parents and great grandparents, growing up in a time of war was NOT great for Edward. He had always been known as gentle, and the concept of war really turned him off. He was the sort of kid who was mocked for being the least athletic of the bunch, and the most antisocial as well. I can certainly identify with that.
Outside Event #2: The Great Depression
It's hard to find a person in America who didn't feel the effects of the Great Depression at least indirectly, and being a buisnessman, times were especially tough. It was extremely difficult for him to make a profit, and he often relied on help from Iva and occasionally his kids to make ends meet during some of his ventures. Thankfully, he found success in investing, I believe, and was eventually able to send his daughter to Mary Washington, but still, times were tough.
It's hard to find a person in America who didn't feel the effects of the Great Depression at least indirectly, and being a buisnessman, times were especially tough. It was extremely difficult for him to make a profit, and he often relied on help from Iva and occasionally his kids to make ends meet during some of his ventures. Thankfully, he found success in investing, I believe, and was eventually able to send his daughter to Mary Washington, but still, times were tough.