Photograph of Tan Beng Wan
This photograph shows Tan Beng Wan (1851-1891) wearing traditional Han Chinese dress of a jacket (magua) and long robe (changpao). He poses in what is likely to be a photographic studio, leaning against a draped balustrade. Tan Beng Wan was the eldest son of Tan Kim Tian, with whom he founded the Tan Kim Tian and Son Steamship Company in 1871. The firm was one of the first in Singapore to buy and build ships. He also served as municipal commissioner from 1888 until his death. This photograph came from the collection of Botan House, the ancestral home built by Tan Kim Tian.
The Late Mr. Tan Beng Wan.
Straits Times Weekly Issue, 30 December 1891, Page 7
Mr. Tan Beng Wan, until recently a Municipal Commissioner for the Central Ward, died at his residence, Botan House, Neil Road, at 4.45 a.m. on Christmas Day.
Mr. Beng Wan had been in failing health for about seven months and, in recent times, had not been in attendance at municipal meetings, although he retained his seat on the Board until the beginning of the present month. At that time, he resigned, and Mr. A. L. Donaldson was elected in his place.
Mr. Beng Wan was forty years of age and, up until seven months ago, had shown every sign of good health. Since then, however, the insidious disease, which ultimately terminated in inflammation of the lungs, necessitated his retirement from many of his private and all of his public duties.
Since his father’s death, Mr. Beng Wan had been the head of the firm Tan Kim Tian and Sons. He leaves behind three brothers, the eldest of whom, Mr. Tan Hup Seng, will probably assume his position as manager of the firm.
Mr. Beng Wan was insured for $20,000 with the New York Life Insurance Company, represented in Singapore by Messrs. Puttfarcken and Co.
Beng Wan Road is named after him
THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. TAN BENG WAN.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 11 January 1892, Page 3
The funeral of Mr. Tan Beng Wan took place this morning, when, amid great state and ceremony, the remains of this highly respected member of the Chinese community were conveyed to their last resting place in the private cemetery of the deceased on Thomson Road.
Starting from his residence in Neil Road, the funeral procession, with gaily colored banners bearing Chinese inscriptions and accompanied by most melancholy music, filed along Neil Road, South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road, and Hill Street to Victoria Street, stopping at intervals of a few minutes along the route. The effect was impressive and strangely picturesque.
The arrangements were admirably made and admirably carried out. The weather was very fine, and from an early hour the streets were crowded with large numbers of the deceased’s compatriots who had assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to the dead. Notwithstanding the throngs lining the streets and the consequent pressure at certain points, the whole proceedings passed off in perfect order under the superintendence of Inspector Morris and a body of constables.
The coffin and canopy, which had previously been on view in the deceased’s house, formed a most elaborate structure, beautifully decorated with rich silks embroidered in gold and adorned with gold and silver ornaments. It must have represented a large sum of money. The stage on which the coffin was carried was of great length, and the heavy weight of the whole necessitated quite a regiment of bearers, all clad in white.
In front of the coffin was an effigy of the deceased, and immediately behind it a “Malacca band,” which played the Dead March from Saul. A large contingent of the leading members of the Chinese community was in attendance, and among those who followed the procession were Mr. Gentle, the president of the municipal commission, and Mr. Polglase, the deceased having been a member of that body during his lifetime.
.webp)
LIM IMM NEO—at 3.45 am on October 10, 1925, at Botan House,
Comments
Post a Comment