Tan Seng Poh (1830 - 13 December 1879), was a chairman of the Singapore Municipal Committee, a Justice of the Peace and an honorary magistrate.
BiographyEdit
Tan was born in 1830 in Ipoh, as the son of Tan Ah Hun, the Kapitan Cina of Perak. When he was nine, his sister married wealthy merchant Seah Eu Chin, and he followed them to the Colony of Singapore, becoming the right-hand man of Seah.[1] He was in good terms with Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor, and gained the patent right to sell Opium in Johor.[2] Through the opium trade, he managed to make a fortune.[1] When Seah retired in 1864, Tan took over Seah's business.[3] In 1865, he succeeded in raising $500 for scholarships for European and Eurasian scholars.[3] On 31 July 1869, Tan and Lee Cheng Tee launched a new gunpowder magazine in Tanah Merah.[4]
In 1871, Tan was appointed the chairman of the Singapore Municipal Committee, and was the first Chinese to serve in the committee.[2][3] In 1872, he was made a Justice of the Peace and an honorary magistrate.[2] When his term expired in 1873, he offered himself for re-election, and won against E. J. Wells.[3] In 1879, after his term expired, he offered himself for re-election, but lost to Edwin Koek.[5]
Tan died on 13 December 1879, and his funeral was held on 26 January 1880, on the same day as the funeral of Chua Moh Choon.[5] Seng Poh Road and Seng Poh Lane were named after him.[1][6][7]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcdTan, Gia Lim (2018). An Introduction to the Culture and History of the Teochews in Singapore. World Scientific. p. 122. ISBN9813239352.
^ abcChong, Guang Kwa; Bak, Lim Kua (2019). A General History Of The Chinese In Singapore. World Scientific. p. 864. ISBN9813277653.
^ abcdeSong, Ong Siang (1923). One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore. J. Murray. p. 131-4.
^Song, Ong Siang (1923). One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore. J. Murray. p. 155.
^ abSong, Ong Siang (1923). One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore. J. Murray. p. 202.
seng, 1830, december, 1879, chairman, singapore, municipal, committee, justice, peace, honorary, magistrate, biography, edittan, born, 1830, ipoh, kapitan, cina, perak, when, nine, sister, married, wealthy, merchant, seah, chin, followed, them, colony, singapo. Tan Seng Poh 1830 13 December 1879 was a chairman of the Singapore Municipal Committee a Justice of the Peace and an honorary magistrate Biography EditTan was born in 1830 in Ipoh as the son of Tan Ah Hun the Kapitan Cina of Perak When he was nine his sister married wealthy merchant Seah Eu Chin and he followed them to the Colony of Singapore becoming the right hand man of Seah 1 He was in good terms with Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor and gained the patent right to sell Opium in Johor 2 Through the opium trade he managed to make a fortune 1 When Seah retired in 1864 Tan took over Seah s business 3 In 1865 he succeeded in raising 500 for scholarships for European and Eurasian scholars 3 On 31 July 1869 Tan and Lee Cheng Tee launched a new gunpowder magazine in Tanah Merah 4 In 1871 Tan was appointed the chairman of the Singapore Municipal Committee and was the first Chinese to serve in the committee 2 3 In 1872 he was made a Justice of the Peace and an honorary magistrate 2 When his term expired in 1873 he offered himself for re election and won against E J Wells 3 In 1879 after his term expired he offered himself for re election but lost to Edwin Koek 5 Personal life EditTan had two sons Tan Keng Swee and Tan Keng Wah 3 Tan s residence known as the House of Tan Seng Poh was commonly regarded as one of four well known Chinese style mansions in Singapore 1 Tan died on 13 December 1879 and his funeral was held on 26 January 1880 on the same day as the funeral of Chua Moh Choon 5 Seng Poh Road and Seng Poh Lane were named after him 1 6 7 References Edit a b c d Tan Gia Lim 2018 An Introduction to the Culture and History of the Teochews in Singapore World Scientific p 122 ISBN 9813239352 a b c Chong Guang Kwa Bak Lim Kua 2019 A General History Of The Chinese In Singapore World Scientific p 864 ISBN 9813277653 a b c d e Song Ong Siang 1923 One Hundred Years History of the Chinese in Singapore J Murray p 131 4 Song Ong Siang 1923 One Hundred Years History of the Chinese in Singapore J Murray p 155 a b Song Ong Siang 1923 One Hundred Years History of the Chinese in Singapore J Murray p 202 Seng Poh Road 1992 general view 3 PictureSG eresources nlb gov sg Retrieved 2022 06 20 Seng Poh Lane HDB flats panoramic view PictureSG eresources nlb gov sg Retrieved 2022 06 20 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tan Seng Poh amp oldid 1142491364, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
