Lee Hoon Leong 李雲龍

Lee Hoon Leong 李雲龍 (1871–1942)

Khek (per the burial register)
Bukit Brown Cemetery 武吉布朗坟场, Block 1, Division C, Plot P24

Transcription:
In loving memory of
Mr Lee Hoon Leong
Aged 71 years
Died on 22.8.02 (11th of 7th Moon)
Sons: Chin Yam, Chin Koon, Chin Tong
Daughters: Choo Neo, Siok Neo, Leng Neo, Wee Neo, Kim Neo

Note: the date 22.8.02 on the tomb is 22 August 2602 in the Japanese calendar, i.e. 22 August 1942, which agrees with the Syonan Shimbun notice below.

Summary: Lee Hoon Leong 李雲龍 (1871–1942) was a Straits Chinese businessman born in Singapore and educated at Raffles Institution. He rose from purser to managing director of Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co. Ltd., served as Singapore attorney for the Java sugar magnate Oei Tiong Ham, and made a donation of $150,000 from Oei's funds towards the founding of Raffles College in 1926. He is the paternal grandfather of Lee Kuan Yew. He is buried at Bukit Brown Cemetery, Block 1 Division C, Plot P24. His first wife, Mak Hup Sin (Mark Hup Sin), is buried separately at Block 1 Division B, Plot 270.

Portrait of Lee Hoon Leong (from One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore by Song Ong Siang)

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Tomb Inscription 墓碑銘文

碑文 Inscription	Transcription / Meaning
In loving memory of Mr Lee Hoon Leong	Lee Hoon Leong 李雲龍
Aged 71 years	Agrees with the burial register and the Syonan Shimbun death notice
Died on 22.8.02 (11th of 7th Moon)	22 August 2602 in the Japanese calendar, i.e. 22 August 1942; the lunar date is the 11th day of the 7th month
Sons: Chin Yam, Chin Koon, Chin Tong	Lee Chin Yam, Lee Chin Koon (father of Lee Kuan Yew) and Lee Chin Tong
Daughters: Choo Neo, Siok Neo, Leng Neo, Wee Neo, Kim Neo	Dr Lee Choo Neo, Lee Siok Neo, Lee Leng Neo, Lee Wee Neo and Lee Kim Neo

Notes: The inscription recorded here is in English. Please see Leads to Check for the Chinese text on the stone.

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Burial Register 埋葬記錄

Lee Hoon Leong

Final Resting Place	Bukit Brown Cemetery, Block 1, Division C, Plot P24
Name	Lee Hoon Leong 李雲龍
Age	71 years
Date of Death	22.8.02 (22 August 2602 in the Japanese calendar, i.e. 22 August 1942)
Date of Interment	24.8.02 (24 August 1942)

Mrs Lee Hoon Leong (first wife)

Final Resting Place	Bukit Brown Cemetery, Block 1, Division B, Plot 270
Name	Mak Hup Sin (also written Mark Hup Sin)
Age	68 years
Date of Death	25.4.39 (25 April 1939)
Date of Burial	27.4.39 (27 April 1939)

Tomb of Mrs Lee Hoon Leong nee Mark Hup Sin (Mak Hup Sin), listing son Lee Chin Yam and daughters Lee Choo Neo and Lee Leng Neo

Burial Entry Bukit Brown Block 1 B, Plot No 270
Date of Death: 25 Apr 1939
Date of Burial: 27 Apr 1939
Age 68 years old
Cantonese

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Family 家族

Relationship	Name	Details
First wife	Mak Hup Sin (Mark Hup Sin)	Died 25 Apr 1939, aged 68; Block 1 Division B Plot 270
Second wife	Ko Liem Nio / Ko Lin Neo	Born circa 1882; married in Semarang, 1899; died 1959
Son	Lee Chin Yam (John Lee)	b. 1901, d. 30 July 1944 in Penang; married Chia Guat Beng
Son	Lee Chin Koon	b. 1903 in Semarang; father of Lee Kuan Yew; married Chua Jim Neo, 1922
Son	Lee Chin Tong
Daughter	Dr Lee Choo Neo	b. 1895; married Teo Koon Lim
Daughter	Lee Siok Neo
Daughter	Lee Leng Neo 李玲娘	Married Teo Kim Kheng 張金慶, 1928
Daughter	Lee Wee Neo	Married Tan Teng Ban, b. 1909
Daughter	Lee Kim Neo	Married Chua Keng Hoe

Genealogical Note:
Born in Singapore to a Peranakan family; educated at Raffles Institution up to standard V. Married Ko Liem Nio in Semarang, Java (1899), with consent from Orphan's Court. Son Lee Chin Koon born in Semarang (1903). Gained confidence of Oei Tiong Ham, managing Singapore affairs and donating $150,000 (1926) from Oei's funds to Raffles College.

Eldest son Lee Chin Yam (John Lee) married Chia Guat Beng (daughter of Chia Biow Chuan and Ong Quee Neo/Ong Yan Quee Neo, daughter of Ong Ewe Hai); they adopted Gracie Lee from Ong Ghee Chiang (son of Ong Tiang Soon). Chia Guat Beng's sister was Chia Guat Goh (wife of Chia Yee Soh). Lee Chin Yam died in Penang (30 July 1944); widow Chia Guat Beng remarried Ong Thye Ghee in 1964 after 50 years of friendship, with Lee Chin Koon attending the wedding.

Note on his birth year: Lee Kuan Yew's memoir gives 1871, which agrees with the age of 71 on the tomb, in the burial register and in the 1942 death notice. The Orphan's Court document of March 1899 gives his age as 26, which would point to 1872 or 1873.

Family Portraits

Family portrait with first wife Mark Hup Sin (seated left) and children
Pic source (Chinese Women's Association 100 Fabulous Years)

Identification (to be updated):
Left to right (standing): Chia Guat Beng, John Lee Chin Yam, Teo Koon Lim(centre back), Lee Choo Neo, Lin Leong nee Mae Ee Keling
Seated: Mark Hup Sin, Lee Hoon Leong 

Family portrait with second wife Ko Liem Nio / Ko Lin Neo and children

Identification (to be updated):
Left to right (standing): Lee Kim Neo, Unknown relative, Lee Siok Neo, Lee Wee Neo
Left to right:  Ko Liem Nio (seated), Lee Chin Tong (seated centre), Lee Hoon Leong (seated right), 

🔍 Related Tombs

- Daughter: Dr. Lee Choo Neo (李珠娘) (Block 1 Division B Plot 446)
- First wife: Mak Hup Sin (Mark Hup Sin), Block 1 Division B Plot 270 (see Burial Register above)
- Mark Swee Lam, relative of Mark Hup Sin, likely brother 
- Potential links to Chia, Teo, Seow Poh Leng, or Ong family tombs in Bukit Brown.

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Short Biography 生平簡介

Lee Hoon Leong was born in Singapore in 1871 into a Peranakan family and was educated at Raffles Institution up to standard V. According to his grandson Lee Kuan Yew, he first worked as a dispenser, then became a purser on a steamer plying between Singapore and the Dutch East Indies. The ship belonged to the Heap Eng Moh fleet, owned by the Java sugar magnate Oei Tiong Ham. He married Ko Liem Nio in Semarang on 26 March 1899, with consent from the Orphan's Court dated the day before. His son Lee Chin Koon was born in Semarang in 1903, and the family returned to Singapore soon afterwards.

By 1909, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya described him as the right-hand man of the Singapore office of Heap Eng Moh, whose associated Samarang Steamship Navigation Company was led by Oei Tiong Ham. The Straits Times of 19 June 1917 names him as Managing Director of Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Ltd, in a denial of a report that the company was selling its steamers to Japanese buyers. He became Oei's attorney in Singapore, and according to his grandson donated $150,000 from Oei's funds in 1926 towards the founding of Raffles College.

His first wife, Mak Hup Sin, died on 25 April 1939 and was buried on 27 April at Bukit Brown, Block 1 Division B, Plot 270. Lee Hoon Leong died at his residence at Bras Basah Road on 22 August 1942, aged 71, and was buried at Bukit Brown, Block 1 Division C, Plot P24, on 24 August. His second wife died in 1959. His eldest son Lee Chin Yam died in Penang in 1944, and Chin Yam's widow Chia Guat Beng remarried in 1964. His son Lee Chin Koon was the father of Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore.

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Newspaper Record 報章紀錄

Date / Paper	Summary
19 Jun 1917, The Straits Times, p. 6	Lee Hoon Leong, as Managing Director of Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Ltd, denies a report that the company was selling its steamers to Japanese buyers
26 Apr 1920, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 11	Advertisement for Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Ltd
1 Dec 1920, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 6	Engagement of Lee Chin Koon to Chua Jim Neo, daughter of Mr and Mrs Chua Kim Teng
27 Nov 1923, The Straits Times, p. 10	Lee Chin Koon was in 1920 a committee member of the Java Chinese Students' Association
15 May 1928, 南洋商报, p. 3	Wedding of Lee Leng Neo 李玲娘 to Teo Kim Kheng 張金慶
1 May 1939, The Straits Times	Funeral of Mrs Lee Hoon Leong (nee Mark Hup Sin) at Bukit Brown, with a list of acknowledgements
25 Aug 1942, Syonan Shimbun, p. 3	Death announcement of Lee Hoon Leong, aged 71, on 22 August 2602; funeral at Bukit Brown on 24 August
31 Jul 1946, The Straits Times, p. 4	Report that Lee Chin Yam died in Penang on 30 July 1944
9 May 1959, The Straits Times, p. 8	Acknowledgement by Lee Chin Koon and Chin Tong for the funeral of their mother, Mrs Lee Hoon Leong, aged 78
27 May 1964, The Straits Times, p. 1	Ong Thye Ghee marries Chia Guat Beng, widow of Lee Chin Yam; Lee Chin Koon attends

Transcripts and Clippings 原文及剪報

Lee Hoon Leong as Managing Director of Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Ltd (1917)
The Straits Times, 19 June 1917, Page 6

Lee Hoon Leong, writing as Managing Director of Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Ltd, denies a report that the company was selling its steamers to Japanese buyers.

Death Announcement (1942)
Syonan Shimbun, 25 August 1942, Page 3

"Domestic Occurrence - Death
LEE HOON LEONG (aged 71 years) passed away peacefully at his residence 74-3, Bras Basah Road, on Saturday, August 22, 2602, at 6.45 pm Tokyo Time, after a short illness. He left behind his wife (Ko Lin Neo), 3 sons, Lee Chin Yam, Lee Chin Koon and Lee Chin Tong, 5 daughters Dr Lee Choo Neo (Mrs Teo Koon Lim), Madam Lee Siok Neo, Mrs Teo Kim Kheng, Mrs Tan Teng Ban, Mrs Chua Keng Hoe and 28 grandchildren to mourn his loss. Funeral took place on Monday 24-8-2602 at 5 pm Tokyo Time at Bukit Brown Cemetery. Regret bereavement announcement could not be inserted earlier. Upcountry papers please copy."

Funeral of First Wife Mark Hup Sin (1939)
The Straits Times, 1 May 1939

"The funeral of Mrs Lee Hoon Leong (nee Mark Hup Sin), mother of Dr Lee Choo Neo, Mr Lee Chin Yam and Mrs Teo Kim Kheng, took place at the Bukit Brown Cemetery.
Acknowledgements from: Messrs Mark Choy Sung, Mark Choy Seng and Mark Choy Saing, Miss Mark Mei Yuen, Mr and Mrs Goh Peng Lim, Madame Goh Keow Gek, Messrs Eastern Auto and Co, The staff of Borneo Motors Ltd, Chinese Ladies Association, Aik Ieu Association, Chop Wing San, Sun Kee Flower Shop, Mr and Mrs Seow Poh Leng, Mr and Mrs Y E Tan, Mr and Mrs Chia Yee Soh, Mr and Mrs Tan Teck Yew, Mr and Mrs Tan Tye Keng, Mr and Mrs Chan Swee Hong, Messrs Ang Beng Lay."

Acknowledgment for Second Wife Ko Lin Neo (1959)
The Straits Times, 9 May 1959, Page 8

"LEE CHIN KOON, Chin Tong and family wish to tender their sincere thanks to all friends, relatives, Buddhist Union etc who sent wreaths, etc and attended the funeral of their late mother. Mrs Lee Hoon Leong, age 78 (born circa 1882)."

Report of the Death of Eldest Son Lee Chin Yam (reported 1946; died 1944)
The Straits Times, 31 July 1946, Page 4

"Lee Chin Yam died in Penang on 30th July 1944."

Friends for 50 Years, Now They Get Married – Remarriage of Chia Guat Beng (1964)
The Straits Times, 27 May 1964, Page 1

"FRIENDS FOR 50 YEARS, NOW THEY GET MARRIED
When Ong Thye Ghee (65) married Chia Guat Beng (62), widow of Lee Chin Yam (eldest son of Lee Hoon Leong), Lee Chin Koon attended the wedding."

Java Chinese Students Association (1923)
The Straits Times, 27 November 1923, Page 10

"LEE Chin Koon in 1920 was a committee member of the Java Chinese Students’ Association."

Engagement of Lee Chin Koon (1920)
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 1 December 1920, Page 6

"Engagement is announced of Mr Lee Chin Koon, son of Mr and Mrs Lee Hoon Leong to Miss Chua Jim Neo, daughter of Mr and Mrs Chua Kim Teng. The marriage will take place on Saturday, May 20, 1922."

Wedding of Lee Leng Neo (1928)
南洋商报, 15 May 1928, Page 3

"Wedding of LEE Leng Neo 李玲娘 to TEO Kim Kheng 張金慶."

HEAP ENG MOH STEAMSHIP CO., LTD

Page 11 Advertisements Column 4 (1920)
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 26 April 1920, Page 11
Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Ltd

Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co. Full Profile (1909)
Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya

"The firm trading under this name is one of the oldest and most important of Chinese steamship agencies in the colony. Established more than thirty years ago, it has played an important part in the development of the local coastal trade, and, of late years, in the trade with Java and Chinese ports. The managing partner is Mr. Chew Joon Hiang. The fleet which the company represent consists of the Zweena and Evendale (owned by Mr. Chew Joon Hiang) and the Giang Ann, Giang Seng, Merapi, and Simongan (owned by the Samarang Steamship Navigation Company). These vessels maintain a regular fortnightly service between Singapore and Batavia, Cheribon, and Samarang, and a monthly service between Singapore, Swatow, and Amoy. They have good accommodation for all classes of passengers. The Merapi, which is on the China run, is a very up-to-date boat, and can carry 48 first class, 24 second class, and 1,200 deck passengers.

The principal partner of the Samarang Steamship Navigation Company is Mayor Oei Tiong Ham, a native and resident of Java, and a Dutch subject, who owns several sugar plantations in Java and is one of the best known merchants in the Dutch colony. He has, also, a saw-mill at Kallang Road, Singapore, and other interests in the Straits Settlements. At the Singapore office Mr. Lee Hoon Leong is the right-hand man in the shipping business. He is a native of Singapore and speaks English perfectly, having finished his education at Raffles School."

Pic of Managing Partner Chew Joon Hiang, SS "Merapi" and the office at 22 Telok Ayer Street
(source : Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya)

Full Biography from Grandson (1998)
The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew

"My grandfather, Lee Hoon Leong - whom I addressed as Kung or "grandfather" in Chinese - was born in Singapore in 1871, and according to my father was educated at Raffles Institution up to standard V, which would be today's lower secondary school. He himself told me he worked as a dispenser (an unqualified pharmacist) when he left school, but after a few years became a purser on board a steamer plying between Singapore and the Dutch East Indies. The ship was part of a fleet belonging to the Heap Eng Moh Shipping Line, which was owned by the Chinese millionaire sugar king of Java, Oei Tiong Ham. In between his travels he married my grandmother, Ko Liem Nio, in Semarang, a city in central Java. There is a document in Dutch, dated 25 March 1899, issued by the Orphan's Court in Semarang, giving consent to Ko Liem Nio, age 16, to marry Lee Hoon Leong, age 26. An endorsement on this document states that the marriage was solemnised on 26 March 1899. My father was born in Semarang in 1903, in the Dutch East Indies. But he was a British subject by descent, because his father - Kung - was from Singapore. Kung brought his wife and baby son back to the island for good soon after the child's birth. His fortunes rose as he gained the confidence of Oei Tiong Ham, who appointed him his attorney to manage his affairs in Singapore. Kung told me how he was so trusted that in 1926, on his own authority, he donated $150,000, then a princely sum, from Oei's funds towards the foundation of Raffles College."

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Leads to Check

• Chinese text on Lee Hoon Leong's stone, if any, and the stone date.
• Wording and a NewspaperSG link for the Straits Times article of 19 June 1917, p. 6.
• Chinese name of Mak Hup Sin (Mark Hup Sin) from her stone.
• His birth year: 1871 (memoir, tomb, register) against about 1872–73 (age 26 in the 1899 Orphan's Court document).
• Names in the Family Portraits identification, in particular "Lin Leong nee Mae Ee Keling".
• Possible links to the Chia, Teo, Seow Poh Leng and Ong family tombs.

Sources 資料來源

1. Song Ong Siang. (1923). One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore.
2. Syonan Shimbun, 25 August 1942, Page 3.
3. The Straits Times (19 June 1917; 1 May 1939; 9 May 1959; 27 May 1964; 31 July 1946; 27 November 1923).
4. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1 December 1920; 26 April 1920).
5. 南洋商报, 15 May 1928, Page 3.
6. Lee Kuan Yew. (1998). The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew.
7. Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya (1909).
8. Burial records: Bukit Brown Cemetery, Block 1 Division C Plot P24 (Lee Hoon Leong) and Block 1 Division B Plot 270 (Mak Hup Sin).

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About this record. This entry is part of Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials (S.T.E.M.) 新加坡墓碑銘集录, a specialised digital documentation project and archive recording historical tomb inscriptions in Singapore, with a focus on Bukit Brown Cemetery 武吉布朗坟场 and other early Chinese burial grounds. Each record transcribes the original Chinese inscription, gives an English translation, cross-checks it against the burial register, and adds a short biography drawn from contemporary newspapers and archival sources.

Cite this entry as:
Raymond Goh. "Lee Hoon Leong 李雲龍 (1871–1942)." Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials (S.T.E.M.), tombs.bukitbrown.org. Accessed [date].

Keywords: Lee Hoon Leong, 李雲龍, grandfather of Lee Kuan Yew, Heap Eng Moh Steamship Co., Managing Director, Oei Tiong Ham, Bukit Brown Cemetery Block 1 Division C Plot P24, Block 1 Division B Plot 270, Singapore Chinese tomb inscriptions, Straits Chinese Peranakan, Raffles College donor, Mak Hup Sin (Mark Hup Sin), Ko Lin Neo, Lee Chin Yam, Chia Guat Beng, Ong Thye Ghee, Lee Chin Koon, Chua Jim Neo, Lee Leng Neo, Teo Kim Kheng, Lee 李, Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials, S.T.E.M.

Name - Lee 李