at Antilla and Banes in Bancroft in the northern part of what was then Oriente province. Later in life Fidel recalled his father's corruption, buying votes from the existing political classes, but by the standards of the day he was probably less harsh than many proprietors. During the winter he would hire redundant workers from neighbouring plantations to weed the ground. He was an obeisant man, kind to his children, spoiled them even, and rarely lost his temper, except at dominoes. By the 1950s Ángel was worth about $500,000 (). Despite being a successful capitalist, Castro hated the Americans for their conquest of Cuba's independence movement in 1898. From a sincerely conservative peasant family, Catholic by tradition, if not in practice, he harboured suspicions of extravagant luxury and American-style capitalism that he inculcated into his children. Family Ángel Castro married María Argota y Reyes on 25 March 1911, with whom he had five children: Manuel Castro Argota (1913–1914), María Lila Perfidia (Lidia) Castro Argota (1913–1991), Pedro Emilio Castro Argota (1914–1992), Antonia María Dolores Castro Argota (born 1915 - Birán, Holguín, Cuba; Death 1920 - Mayari, Holguin, Cuba) and Georgina de la Caridad Castro Argota (born in 1918). He and his wife had contrasting personalities. Dubbed "Maria the wealthy" by her family, she wanted to buy expensive clothes and gold jewellery and live in style in Santiago City. By contrast, Ángel preferred to go climbing in the hills and the outdoors looking for new land. The Ruz Gonzalez family arrived in 1917 from Pinar del Rio in west Cuba. Ángel's friendship grew with Perfecto Ruz Vasquez who introduced him to his niece Lina Ruz Gonzalez. She was 15 years old and employed as a maid in his household. She loved to go horse riding. He had seven more children, including Fidel, by Lina, whom he made his cook. Born in Catalina, Guane, Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba on 23 September 1903, she was the daughter of Francisco Ruz Vázquez (1874–1961), a cart dealer transporting cane to the mills, and by Dominga González Ramos. They married in 1943, following the birth of their children: Ángelita María Castro Ruz (1923–2012), Ramón Eusebio Castro Ruz (1924–2016), Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (1926–2016), Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz (b. 1931), Juana de la Caridad (Juanita) Castro Ruz (b. 1933), Emma de la Concepción Castro Ruz (b. 1935) and Agustina del Carmen Castro Ruz (1938–2017). Angel Castro also