Profile: Tan Kheam Hock (陳謙福)
JP, Municipal Commissioner & Pioneer | Bukit Brown Block 2F, Plot 255
Tan Kheam Hock (1862 - 1922)
Tomb Inscriptions & Family Names
| Name (Husband) | Tan Kheam Hock (陳謙福) |
| Wife 1 | Oh Peang Neo (陳門胡丙娘) - Died 1913 *Daughter of Foo Tye Sin (Penang) |
| Wife 2 | Chua Choo Hoon Neo (陳門蔡珠雲) - Died 1943 |
| Ancestral Origin | Shan Yang (山仰), Haicheng (海澄), Zhangzhou (漳洲), Fujian, China |
| Death Date | 1922 (Ren Xu Year 壬戍, 2nd Moon, 15th Day) |
| Cemetery Address | Bukit Brown Cemetery, Singapore Block 2F, Plot 255 |
Epigraphy Breakdown
Tan Kheam Hock (Husband):
- Center: 顕考諱謙福陳公府君之佳城 (The Tomb of the Illustrious Father, Tan Kheam Hock)
- Right: 福建漳洲海澄 (Fujian, Zhangzhou, Haicheng)
- Left: 山仰 (Shan Yang - Village/Clan Origin)
- Date: 壬戍二月十五 (Ren Xu Year [1922], 2nd Moon, 15th Day)
Oh Peang Neo (Wife 1):
- Center: 顕妣諱丙娘陳門胡氏之墓 (Tomb of Illustrious Mother Oh Peang Neo of the Tan Family)
- Date: 民國二年癸丑 (Republic Year 2, Gui Chou Year [1913])
Chua Choo Hoon Neo (Wife 2):
- Name: 陳門蔡珠雲 (Mrs. Tan nee Chua Choo Hoon Neo)
- Date: 民國卅二年癸未年 (Republic Year 32, Gui Wei Year [1943]) - Japanese Occupation Period (Syonan)
- Burial: 八月初九日酉時立 (8th Moon, 9th Day, You Hour [5-7pm])
Historical Portrait: Tan Kheam Hock with his 6 sons and 4 daughters.
Based on 1908 records, this photo was likely taken circa 1907-1908.
Biography & Historical Archives
Source: Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya (Published 1908)
This historical record details Tan Kheam Hock's migration from Penang to Singapore, his education at Penang Free School, and his pivotal roles in the Opium and Spirit Farm and Tanjong Pagar Dock Company.
"Mr. Tan Kheam Hock is one of many able Chinese business men who... migrated from Pinang to Singapore. Born at Pinang in 1862, he received his education at the Pinang Free School.
...In 1889 he came to Singapore and became connected with the Opium and Spirit Farm... Since December, 1901, he has contracted with that mammoth undertaking, the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, to supply coolie labour... as many as 2,500 coolies are permanently employed there.
Mr. Tan Kheam Hock... takes a great interest in the Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School... He married the sixth daughter of the late Mr. Foo Tye Sin, J. P., Municipal Commissioner, of Pinang, and has six sons and four daughters."
Straits Echo, 8 June 1910
The Straits Times, 5 May 1913, Page 8
DEATH
Tan - on May 4, at her residence No. 85 Cecil Street and mother of Chong Kee, Chong Lay, Chong Chew, Chong Teck, Chong Gark and Chong Teat, age 48 years.
"We regret to announce the death of Oh Peang Neo... mother of Tan Chong Kee, which occured suddenly from heart failure at 10 pm yesterday at her residence in Cecil Street... The deceased left six sons, three daughters to mourn her loss."
The Straits Times, 19 & 26 March 1914
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
"The marriage of Mr. Tan Kheam Hock, Municipal Commissioner, and Miss Chua Choo Hoon Neo took place yesterday [March 25, 1914] at Peang Villa."
Malaya Tribune, 22 June 1921
Malaya Tribune, 22 April 1922 (Obituary)
Tan Kheam Hock passed away on the 15th day of the 2nd Moon (Ren Xu Year), 1922.
Genealogical Data (Searchable Names)
Sons (男):
- Tan Chong Kee (宗其) - Born 1883
- Tan Chong Lay (宗礼) - Born 1887
- Tan Chong Chew (宗洲) - Born 1893
- Tan Chong Teck (宗德) - Born 1896
- Tan Chong Gark (宗岳)
- Tan Chong Teat (宗硩)
- Tan Chong Lock (宗緑)
- Tan Chong Siew (宗寿)
- Tan Chong Boon (宗文)
Daughters (女):
- Tan Keow Gnoh - Born 1884
- Tan Suat Gnoh - Born 1889
- Tan Heng Gnoh (興娥) - Born 1906
- Tan Hong Gnoh (鳳娥)
- Ya Mei (亞妺)
- Ying Yue (英月)
Grandsons (男孫):
- Tan Huck Thoe (學桃)
- Tan Huck Boon (學海學文)
- Tan Huck Seng (學成)
- Tan Huck Chwee (學水)
- Tan Huck Khong (學孔) - Born 1913
- Tan Huck Wan (學遠)
- Tan Huck Chuan (學全)
- Tan Huck San (學山)
- Tan Huck Meng (學明)
- Tan Huck Sian (學善)
- Tan Huck Leng (學龍)
- Tan Huck Eng (學荣)
- Tan Huck Chye (學財)
- Tan Huck Song (學松)
Granddaughters (女孫):
- Tan Poey Sim (培深)
- Tan Poey Koon (培根)
- Tan Poey Joo (培裕)
- Tan Poey Swan (培宣)
- Tan Poey Kee (培枝)
- Tan Poey Ling (培陵)
- Tan Poey Quee (培桂)
- Tan Poey Geok (培玉)
- Tan Poey Geok (培玉)
- Tan Poey Neo (培娘)
- Tan Poey Liew (培栁)
- Tan Poey Choo (Born 1918)
- Tan Poey Kim (培金)
- Tan Poey Im (培陰) - Born 1923
- Tan Poey Eng (培英)
- Tan Poey Yan (培燕)
- Tan Poey Cheng (培清)
References
- Wright, Arnold (ed.). Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya. London: Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company, 1908.
- Straits Echo, 8 June 1910, Page 5.
- The Straits Times, 5 May 1913, Page 8 (Obituary of Oh Peang Neo).
- The Straits Times, 19 March 1914 & 26 March 1914 (Wedding of Tan Kheam Hock).
- Malaya Tribune, 22 June 1921, Page 6.
- Malaya Tribune, 22 April 1922, Page 7 (Obituary of Tan Kheam Hock).
- Bukit Brown Cemetery Tomb Inscriptions, Blk 2F, Plot 255.