Gan Eng Seng
Encyclopedia
Gan Eng Seng was one of the early Chinese
pioneers of Singapore
known for his generosity to many charitable causes during the era of the British
Straits Settlements
of Malaya
and Singapore. Some of his most recognised contributions known were the setting up of Gan Eng Seng School
, the Thong Chai Medical Institution, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
and the Ee Hoe Hean Club
.
Chinese descent, born and educated in Melaka
, and the eldest son of five in his family. His forefathers emigrated from Fujian Province, China to Malaya. Owing to poor circumstances, he probably had an elementary school education in which he learnt to read and write in simple English and keep accounts. After his father's death, sixteen year old Gan was involved in the nutmeg
business on a very small scale.
Later, he was taken on as an apprentice by Messrs. Guthrie and Company
. Gan was diligent and capable, and his ability won him the recognition and keen interest of Thomas Scott, one of the partners in the company. Scott was one of the early British pioneers responsible for developing Tanjung Pagar
and the port of Singapore. Eventually, Gan was promoted to the post of Assistant Storekeeper and then Chief Storekeeper of the company. In 1874, he became the company's Chief Compradore, a position which he held for the next 25 years. Thomas Scott later helped to finance some of Gan's early business ventures, one of which was to supply labour and transport to the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company which helped Gan to make most of his personal fortunes.
s in Telok Ayer Street (unconnected with the other Anglo-Chinese School
founded a year later by the late Bishop
W.F. Oldham). In 1923, it was renamed to Gan Eng Seng School
(GESS) in his honour.
Gan Eng Seng School is unique among the schools in Singapore being the only one initiated, established and maintained by a local citizen with a gift of freehold property, buildings and adequate funds until his demise. Most other schools of the time were established by missionary or communal organisations.
Before it became a government school in 1938, it had on its Board of Trustees
fellow Chinese pioneers such as Tan Keong Saik
, Ho Yang Peng, Wee Theam Tew, Lee Cheng Yan, S.J. Chan, Wee Swee Teow, Song Ong Siang
, and Dr. Lim Boon Keng
. Under their management, Gan Eng Seng School was able to serve the local community as a self-funded school for nearly forty years without interference.
In later generations, some of Gan Eng Seng's descendants choose to return to serve the school:
As of 2002, it is located at 1 Henderson Road after it has moved eight times during its 122-year history; the most ever known in Singapore schools due to expansion needs.
Gan also founded a school for the poor in the village of Sam-toh in Fujian Province, where his forefathers were born, and helped to finance and maintain the Tranquerah Chinese Free School in Melaka. He also enabled young men of promise to realise their potential by paying for their university education. An example was the case of Wee Theam Tew, who gave up a clerical post with Messr. Macalister & Co. and proceeded to England to further his studies in law and qualify for the Bar in 1911.
The Thong Chai Medical Institution
was another major charity which Gan strongly backed and financed. It was established in 1867 and is the oldest charitable institution in Singapore. It began treating the poor of all races and religions in a rented shophouse at 31 Upper Pickering Street. In 1975, it was relocated to 50 Chin Swee Road and till today, the institution continues to provide free medical consultation and herbal medicines to all.
for 1892, made mentioned of the generous gift by Gan of a freehold property at Rochor to the hospital. The hospital is still serving the public and came into the international spotlight when it was designated as the sole treatment centre for the SARS epidemic which struck the country in 2003.
, a social-cum-business club where like-minded Chinese businessmen could mingle and exchange ideas. Its members included notable Chinese pioneers such as Dr. Lim Boon Keng
, Tan Kah Kee
, Lim Nee Soon et cetera. It was originally located on Duxton Hill
but moved to Bukit Pasoh Road
in 1925. The club plays an active role in community services and charity work to this day.
In April 2008, Gan's life and generosity to many charitable causes are currently being showcased in a permanent gallery of the Peranakan Museum
(former Tao Nan School building
) at Armenian Street
. The gallery titled Public Life: Making a difference (Level 3) honours Peranakan
s (Straits Chinese), who were prominent public figures and philanthropists such as Gan, Singapore pioneer Tan Kim Seng
and former Cabinet Minister Lim Kim San
.
The Peranakan Museum presents a Southeast Asian-wide view of Peranakan culture and houses a comprehensive collection of Peranakan artefacts. The museum is the latest addition to the National Heritage Board
’s family of museums and is managed by the Asian Civilisations Museum
(ACM). The ACM staff consulted academics and collaborated with members of the Peranakan community to bring the museum to life.
Chinese in Singapore
Chinese Singaporeans are people of Chinese ethnicity who hold Singaporean nationality. As of 2010, Chinese Singaporeans constitute 74.1% of Singapore's resident population, or approximately three out of four Singaporeans, making them the largest ethnic group in Singapore...
pioneers of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
known for his generosity to many charitable causes during the era of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Straits Settlements
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
of Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
and Singapore. Some of his most recognised contributions known were the setting up of Gan Eng Seng School
Gan Eng Seng School
Founded by philanthropist Gan Eng Seng in 1885, Gan Eng Seng School is one of the oldest schools in Singapore. GESS was the first school to be set up by a local Chinese and the first to form a parent-teachers' association in 1950. It was an all-boys' school for 102 years until it became...
, the Thong Chai Medical Institution, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
The Tan Tock Seng Hospital is the second-largest hospital in Singapore after the Singapore General Hospital, but its accident and emergency department is the busiest in the country largely due to its geographically centralised location...
and the Ee Hoe Hean Club
Ee Hoe Hean Club
Founded in 1895, the Ee Hoe Hean Club located at Bukit Pasoh Road in Chinatown, was one of the oldest millionaires' clubs in Singapore. Besides functioning as a social and business club, members of the club were actively involved in the political development of China during the pre-independence...
.
Life
Gan was of HokkienMin Nan
The Southern Min languages, or Min Nan , are a family of Chinese languages spoken in southern Fujian, eastern Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, and southern Zhejiang provinces of China, and by descendants of emigrants from these areas in diaspora....
Chinese descent, born and educated in Melaka
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
, and the eldest son of five in his family. His forefathers emigrated from Fujian Province, China to Malaya. Owing to poor circumstances, he probably had an elementary school education in which he learnt to read and write in simple English and keep accounts. After his father's death, sixteen year old Gan was involved in the nutmeg
Nutmeg
The nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. The most important commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia...
business on a very small scale.
Later, he was taken on as an apprentice by Messrs. Guthrie and Company
Guthrie (Malaysia)
Guthrie Group Limited was a Malaysian company that primarily dealt with plantations. It merged with three other plantation groups to form the world's largest plantation company with the name of Sime Darby Berhad.- History :...
. Gan was diligent and capable, and his ability won him the recognition and keen interest of Thomas Scott, one of the partners in the company. Scott was one of the early British pioneers responsible for developing Tanjung Pagar
Tanjong Pagar
Tanjong Pagar is a historic district located within the Central Business District in Singapore, straddling the Outram Planning Area and the Downtown Core under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's urban planning zones....
and the port of Singapore. Eventually, Gan was promoted to the post of Assistant Storekeeper and then Chief Storekeeper of the company. In 1874, he became the company's Chief Compradore, a position which he held for the next 25 years. Thomas Scott later helped to finance some of Gan's early business ventures, one of which was to supply labour and transport to the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company which helped Gan to make most of his personal fortunes.
Family
Gan married his first wife, Koh Chwee Neo, at the age of eighteen and in 1859 adopted his first son, Gan Tiang Tock, who was an important partner in the building of his fortune. He had in total five wives, seven sons and two daughters. However, only two of his children were born by his wives; his other children were mostly adopted, a customary practice which was then considered auspicious. His immediate family members were:| Wives | Sons | Daughters |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Brother | Sisters |
|---|---|
|
|
Gan Eng Seng School
Although Gan had little education, he realised its value as he prospered and became wealthy. His dream to build a school for the poor which taught both English and Chinese was fulfilled in 1885, when he built the Anglo-Chinese Free School for boys in some shophouseShophouse
A shophouse is a vernacular architectural building type that is commonly seen in areas such as urban Southeast Asia. This hybrid building form characterises the historical centres of most towns and cities in the region.- Design and features :...
s in Telok Ayer Street (unconnected with the other Anglo-Chinese School
Anglo-Chinese School
The Anglo-Chinese School ; is a family of Methodist schools in Singapore, and Indonesia.The name is usually abbreviated as "ACS", with the junior college as "ACJC", and its students and alumni referred to as "ACSians" , or "ACS boys" .ACS was the first school...
founded a year later by the late Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
W.F. Oldham). In 1923, it was renamed to Gan Eng Seng School
Gan Eng Seng School
Founded by philanthropist Gan Eng Seng in 1885, Gan Eng Seng School is one of the oldest schools in Singapore. GESS was the first school to be set up by a local Chinese and the first to form a parent-teachers' association in 1950. It was an all-boys' school for 102 years until it became...
(GESS) in his honour.
Gan Eng Seng School is unique among the schools in Singapore being the only one initiated, established and maintained by a local citizen with a gift of freehold property, buildings and adequate funds until his demise. Most other schools of the time were established by missionary or communal organisations.
Before it became a government school in 1938, it had on its Board of Trustees
fellow Chinese pioneers such as Tan Keong Saik
Keong Saik Road
Keong Saik Road is a one-way road located in Chinatown within the Outram Planning Area in Singapore. The road links New Bridge Road to Neil Road, and is intersected by Kreta Ayer Road.-Etymology and history:...
, Ho Yang Peng, Wee Theam Tew, Lee Cheng Yan, S.J. Chan, Wee Swee Teow, Song Ong Siang
Song Ong Siang
Sir Ong-siang Song K.B.E., V.D., M.A., LL.M., was a lawyer and active citizen of the British Colony of Singapore. He was a third-generation Straits Chinese or Peranakan Baba , and the first ever Asian in Singapore to be knighted...
, and Dr. Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng, OBE was a Chinese doctor who promoted social and educational reforms in Singapore and China. Lim was of Chinese Peranakan descent, with ancestry from Hai Teng district in Fujian, China.-Early life:...
. Under their management, Gan Eng Seng School was able to serve the local community as a self-funded school for nearly forty years without interference.
In later generations, some of Gan Eng Seng's descendants choose to return to serve the school:
- Three sons of the founder, Gan Tiang Kwee, Gan Tiang Choon and Gan Tiang Tok, were on the Board of Trustees.
- Gan Hock Chye, grandson of Gan Eng Seng was a pupil at the school and later return to serve as the Master of Gan House and Committee Member of the GESS Old Students' Association in the 1950s.
- Gan Kee Soon, one of the great grandsons of Gan Eng Seng was a Math teacher in GESS at its Anson Road site from 1960 to 1969 teaching Pre-U classes.
As of 2002, it is located at 1 Henderson Road after it has moved eight times during its 122-year history; the most ever known in Singapore schools due to expansion needs.
Gan also founded a school for the poor in the village of Sam-toh in Fujian Province, where his forefathers were born, and helped to finance and maintain the Tranquerah Chinese Free School in Melaka. He also enabled young men of promise to realise their potential by paying for their university education. An example was the case of Wee Theam Tew, who gave up a clerical post with Messr. Macalister & Co. and proceeded to England to further his studies in law and qualify for the Bar in 1911.
Thong Chai Medical Institution
Old Thong Chai Medical Institution
The Old Thong Chai Medical Institution is a historic building in Singapore, and is located at Eu Tong Sen Street in the Singapore River Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district....
was another major charity which Gan strongly backed and financed. It was established in 1867 and is the oldest charitable institution in Singapore. It began treating the poor of all races and religions in a rented shophouse at 31 Upper Pickering Street. In 1975, it was relocated to 50 Chin Swee Road and till today, the institution continues to provide free medical consultation and herbal medicines to all.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Gan was always among the first to respond to pleas for donations, giving thousands of dollars to local hospitals. He also helped to pay for coffins to bury the poor. The annual report of Tan Tock Seng HospitalTan Tock Seng Hospital
The Tan Tock Seng Hospital is the second-largest hospital in Singapore after the Singapore General Hospital, but its accident and emergency department is the busiest in the country largely due to its geographically centralised location...
for 1892, made mentioned of the generous gift by Gan of a freehold property at Rochor to the hospital. The hospital is still serving the public and came into the international spotlight when it was designated as the sole treatment centre for the SARS epidemic which struck the country in 2003.
Ee Hoe Hean Club
In 1895, Gan was one of the co-founders of the Ee Hoe Hean ClubEe Hoe Hean Club
Founded in 1895, the Ee Hoe Hean Club located at Bukit Pasoh Road in Chinatown, was one of the oldest millionaires' clubs in Singapore. Besides functioning as a social and business club, members of the club were actively involved in the political development of China during the pre-independence...
, a social-cum-business club where like-minded Chinese businessmen could mingle and exchange ideas. Its members included notable Chinese pioneers such as Dr. Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng, OBE was a Chinese doctor who promoted social and educational reforms in Singapore and China. Lim was of Chinese Peranakan descent, with ancestry from Hai Teng district in Fujian, China.-Early life:...
, Tan Kah Kee
Tan Kah Kee
Tan Kah Kee was a prominent businessman, community leader, and philanthropist in colonial Singapore, and a Communist leader in the People's Republic of China.- Early years :...
, Lim Nee Soon et cetera. It was originally located on Duxton Hill
Duxton Hill
Duxton Hill is a small hill, as well as the name of a road, located in Tanjong Pagar within the Outram Planning Area of Singapore....
but moved to Bukit Pasoh Road
Bukit Pasoh Road
Bukit Pasoh Road is a road in Tanjong Pagar within the Outram Planning Area of Singapore. The road starts from Neil Road which is one way, but becomes two ways, when the road forks out into two parts, with one becoming Teo Hong Road, with both roads ending at New Bridge Road...
in 1925. The club plays an active role in community services and charity work to this day.
Death
On 9 September 1899, Gan Eng Seng died at the age of 55 in his house at No. 87 Amoy Street. His total assets were worth an estimated S$550,000. He was buried at Leng Kee Sua somewhere on the hill by the side where Leng Kee Road runs today. Due to redevelopment of the area, his body was disinterred and reburied in a family grave at Bukit Brown Cemetery. After the death of his father, Gan Tiang Tok continued the family business for three years, though by the turn of century it was no longer so lucrative. Tiang Tok was dogged by ill health from 1903 till his death in 1927 at the age of 68.Commemoration
Peranakan Museum
The Peranakan Museum is a museum in Singapore specialising in Peranakan culture. A sister museum to the Asian Civilizations Museum, it is the first of its kind in the world, that explore Peranakan cultures in Singapore and other former Straits Settlements in Malacca and Penang, and other Peranakan...
(former Tao Nan School building
Old Tao Nan School
The Old Tao Nan School is a historic building in Singapore, located along Armenian Street in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area in Singapore's central business district. The building was a wing of the Asian Civilisations Museum. The other wing of the museum is located at the Empress...
) at Armenian Street
Armenian Street
Armenian Street is a street in Central Singapore located in the Museum Planning Area. The street covers a short distance that starts from Coleman Street and ends at the junction of Stamford Road and Waterloo Street...
. The gallery titled Public Life: Making a difference (Level 3) honours Peranakan
Peranakan
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian archipelago of Nusantara during the Colonial era....
s (Straits Chinese), who were prominent public figures and philanthropists such as Gan, Singapore pioneer Tan Kim Seng
Tan Kim Seng
Tan Kim Seng was a Straits Chinese merchant and public benefactor in Singapore in the nineteenth century.-Biography:Born in Malacca in 1805, Tan came to Singapore where he made a fortune as a trader. Tan started his firm, Kim Seng and Company, in 1840 and amassed a large fortune in his lifetime...
and former Cabinet Minister Lim Kim San
Lim Kim San
Lim Kim San ; was a Singaporean politician. He was credited for leading the successful public housing program in the Southeast Asian city-state during the early 1960s, which eased the acute housing shortage problem at that time....
.
The Peranakan Museum presents a Southeast Asian-wide view of Peranakan culture and houses a comprehensive collection of Peranakan artefacts. The museum is the latest addition to the National Heritage Board
National Heritage Board (Singapore)
The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
’s family of museums and is managed by the Asian Civilisations Museum
Asian Civilisations Museum
The Asian Civilisations Museum is an institution which forms a part of the three museums of the National Museum of Singapore. It is one of the pioneering museums in the region to specialise in pan-Asian cultures and civilisations...
(ACM). The ACM staff consulted academics and collaborated with members of the Peranakan community to bring the museum to life.
See also
- Gan Eng Seng SchoolGan Eng Seng SchoolFounded by philanthropist Gan Eng Seng in 1885, Gan Eng Seng School is one of the oldest schools in Singapore. GESS was the first school to be set up by a local Chinese and the first to form a parent-teachers' association in 1950. It was an all-boys' school for 102 years until it became...
- Gan Eng Seng School Founding SiteGan Eng Seng School Founding SiteThe Gan Eng Seng School's Founding Site , marked by twin commemorative plaques at present, is located at Telok Ayer Street in the southern part of Singapore. On 30 August 1997, the site was designated as a national historical site along with five other schools by the National Heritage Board , being...
- Tan Tock SengTan Tock SengTan Tock Seng was a Singaporean merchant and philanthropist. Born in Malacca in 1798 to an immigrant Fukien father and Hokkien Peranakan mother, Tan rose from humble origins. In 1819, Tan moved to Singapore to sell fruit, vegetable and fowl...
- Lee Choon SengLee Choon SengLee Choon Seng was a Chinese community leader and philanthropist during the pre-independence era of Singapore. He was known for his various initiatives in helping the Chinese community and Sun Yat-Sen's revolutionary cause in China...