heritage trust pte ltd sg50 a dedication to our...

HERITAGE TRUST PTE LTD SG50 A DEDICATION TO OUR HERITAGE

OUR FIRST HERITAGE POST- THE PROPERTY WILL OF EU TONG SEN

Posted On LinkedIn By Simon Monteiro, a budding historian who loves old

documents of the Straits Settlements. For every week in 2015. To do my part for the love of

Singapore. I will feature 400 of my rare documents for the public to appreciate history.

Email me at [email protected] or Link me on Linkedin Simon Monteiro

Introduction :

A few years ago I manage to get this document, as I am collecting historical manuscripts &

letters of Early Singapore Pioneers , it is my great pleasure to dedicate my first post to Mr Eu Tong

Sen. A great man who created the major history of the Chinese community in Singapore from the

last 1800’s.

Three of his great properties were :

Eu Villa, Euston and Eu Cliff. And have the pleasure of enjoying this manuscript.

Date of Document 29th August 1958

Architecture can be viewed as a reflection of value placed on life. In colonial Hong Kong, a distinctive

Gothic-style castle, Euston, was built by tycoon Eu Tong Sen (1877–1941) as his family's grand

residence. Eu was a prominent figure in South China and Southeast Asia and remains a local legend

decades after his death. Eu's castle, being built in 1928 and demolished in the 1980s, was and still is

one of the most recognizable monuments in the region. Although Eu did not leave behind any

autobiography or memoirs, the monumental castle can be regarded as a symbolic manifestation of his

life story. The design of the castle is of mixed ancestry—it is a reconciliation of traditional Chinese

design based on feng shui (Chinese geomancy) with European architectural elements. The fusion of

East-West architectural building elements, as symbolized by the Eu castle, was a significant

achievement symbolizing general social and cultural changes spanning more than a century.

STEPHANIE PO-YIN CHUNG a1 a1 Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

mailto:[email protected]



Eu Villa

Euston is now called Euston Court

Eu Cliff



The document stated that all the things in the house were included in the will.

Eu Tong Sen 余东璇

Eu Tong Sen, OBE, JP

There is an old Chinese adage saying that family wealth never survives for three generations.

Witnessing several prominent Chinese families in the Straits Settlements and British Malaya fell into

this "generation trap" one would have to nod in agreement. However, this adage is not applicable to the

Eu family. Whom profoundly known by the signature, Eu Yan Sang, a legacy known in today as a

traditional Chinese medicine store stretching a chain of branches throughout the world. The Eu Yan

Sang has been notably remained a family business run by the fourth and fifth generations of its

founders.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDwi5HeBjcA/USTaGEADE7I/AAAAAAAAAio/Y0xCf6VcQp8/s1600/eu+tong+sen.png


OUR FIRST HERITAGE POST- THE PROPERTY WILL OF EU TONG SEN Eu Tong Sen was born in Penang on 23 July 1877, he was the only son of Eu Kong-pui also known as

Eu Kong (1853 - 1891) by his first wife Leong Kum Yow (1854 - 1927). His grandfather Eu Hok-chung

(1822 - 1886) was a fengshui master in China. Eu Tong Sen died on 11 May 1941 survived by 13 sons

and 11 daughters through his 11 wives distributing in Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The story of Eu Tong Sen is inseparable with the legacy of Eu Yan Sang, in which founded by his father

and step-mother. Eu Yan Sang was founded in 1879 in Gopeng and stretched to Ipoh and Kampar in

1881. It was a traditional Chinese medical hall setup near tin mining towns to cure miners whom could

not afford for Western medical aids.

Eu Kong-pui

Madam Leong Kum Yow

Eu Kong was born in 1853 in Foshan, Guangdong with Jiangxi origin. In September 1876, Eu Kong left

his native to Penang together with his wife, Leong Kum Yow and a younger brother, Eu Kong Chun. He

was then employed to the Wo Yuen Cloth Store as shop assistant. Shortly after three months, he

became a business partner in Wo Yuen as well as a bakery shop by investing few hundred dollars.

Unfortunately, after eight months both businesses were forced to shut down due to the sudden capital

withdrawal by Wo Yuen's owner. After the mishaps, in 1878, Eu Kong became a shop assistant in a

Chinese grocery store known as Yue Sang owned by Khoo Wan Heng. The store was an agent

distributing goods from Southern China to the tin mining towns in the Malay States. It was here, Eu

Kong entrusted by his employer to collect debts in Malaya. In 1881, Eu Kong took his wife and son, Eu

Tong Sen back to Foshan. After two months sojourn in his native, Eu Kong left for Hong Kong and

married a woman, Man Woon Chang. Man Woon Chang was said to be able to speak in English and

was a good helper in Eu Kong's business. In 1882, Eu Kong entered into the Government Farms tenders

in Gopeng. He won the bidding and became a revenue collector for the next three years. Following with

Overseas Chinese in the British Empire Eu Tong Sen 余东璇_files/eu kong pui.png

Overseas Chinese in the British Empire Eu Tong Sen 余东璇_files/leong kum yow.png


OUR FIRST HERITAGE POST- THE PROPERTY WILL OF EU TONG SEN his successful biding in Gopeng, Eu Kong integrated the tin-mining farm with the Chinese grocery and

medicine store, in which he named it Yan Sang. In 1884, he brought his another younger brother, Eu

Kong Tak to join him.

On 24 March 1891, Eu Kong suddenly died and left his businesses in crisis whereby his wives and

brothers were fighting over his fortune. Eu Tong Sen who was only 14 years old was then called back

to take over his father's businesses. However, his step-mother had arranged him to study English under

F. W. Harley in Penang and in 1895-1897 in Anglo Chinese School, Ipoh under W.E. Horley. When Eu

Tong Sen reached 21 years old he was officially inherited his father's fortune through his father's

appointed attorney, Grant Mackie. In 1902, his half sister adopted by his step-mother was married to

Leong Kwong Hin, a Chinese Protectorate in Singapore whom later became his private secretary. Mrs

Leong Kwong Hin was born in 1887 and died in 1940 in Singapore.

Eu Tong Sen

Eu Tong Sen in his early adolescence

By the time Eu Tong Sen inherited his father's fortune, the government farms were in the process of

phasing out. As the British were no longer in need for it to attract investors in British Malaya. The concept

of capitalism was then introduced, only the wealthiest with capital and connections could operate

business in large scale. In order to accommodate this new policy, Eu Tong Sen drew a new direction

for the family business. He became amongst the first Chinese miners to utilize the hydraulic pumps in

his tin mines. This expensive machinery could extract the earth deeper into the alluvial layer. In Perak,

Eu Tong Sen had about eight mines employing about 8,000 coolies, three in Gopeng, two in Kampar,

each one in Tronoh, Chenderiang and Papan. In Selangor, he had two mines each in Ampang and

Kanching, employing about 3,000 coolies. As for Negri Sembilan he had a one in Batang Benna

operated by about 1,000 coolies. Eu Tong Sen also setup a foundry known as Sang Woh to manufacture

Overseas Chinese in the British Empire Eu Tong Sen 余东璇_files/eu tong sen 3.png

Overseas Chinese in the British Empire Eu Tong Sen 余东璇_files/eu tong sen(1).png


OUR FIRST HERITAGE POST- THE PROPERTY WILL OF EU TONG SEN tin-based products and export it out from Malaya. When the future for tin was uncertainty in the late

19th century, Eu Tong Sen invested in rubber plantation of about 1,000 acres with about 3,000 coolies.

Eu Tong Sen was the Vice-president of the Anti-Opium Society, a member of the Kinta Sanitary Board,

and an Unofficial Member of the Federal Legislative Council of the Federated Malay States (1912 -

1920). In 1903, he purchased a Qing official title to enhance his social status. Eu Tong Sen also known

for his generous donation of $55,000 to the Hongkong University in 1918 as well as to the Raffles

College in Singapore.

In order to mark the Eu family's philanthropic efforts and the family business image, Eu Tong Sen

renamed Yan Sang with Eu Yan Sang. It was during this time too, that Eu Yan Sang was diversified

into remittance business. The remittance services were first extended to Singapore, Penang, Perak and

Kuala Lumpur. In 1909 he setup another remittance branch in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong and in 1928,

Eu Tong Sen made Hong Kong as his home. By 1914, the remittance services by Eu Yan Sang had

reached the Dutch East Indies and Southern China. On 7 January 1932, the Eu Tong Sen (Singapore)

Ltd. was founded as a remittance agent for overseas Chinese in British Malaya and Straits Settlements.

By the late 1920s, Eu Yan Sang already had a strong base for remittance business in Southeast Asia

and Southern China. During this time, the Eu Yan Sang extended its core business to real estate,

property investment and banking sectors. In 1920, he co-founded the Lee Wah Bank in Singapore, a

Cantonese bank setup to serve the Cantonese community.

In Hong Kong, Eu Tong Sen was famed for his three mansions located at Bonham Road, Repulse Bay

and Tai Po, they were known as Euston, Eucliff and Sirmio, respectively. Each mansion costs about

$500,000 and was built from the best materials imported from Europe. He also owned several villas in

Ipoh, Gopeng, Kampar, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, etc. His official Singapore residence cost at least $1

million was at No. 7 Addis Road named Eu Villa built in 1913, where his mother spend her remaining

years. His other Singapore homes including the Katong Pier near the Singapore Swimming Club, the

Burnside Mansion at Tomlinson Road, and the Roseland Mansion at Grange Road.

The Eu Tong Sen Street in Singapore was named after Eu Tong Sen in 1919 to honor his achievement

and his contribution to the Singapore economy and more importantly for his contribution to the British

war effort during the World War I, in which he donated a tank and two fighter planes. In 1922, Eu Tong

Sen was decorated with the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his

meritorious services. Eu Tong Sen's mother Leong Kum Yow died on 9 February 1927 at Eu Villa,

Singapore. She was buried at the family burial ground at Bukit Timah Road. Whereas, Eu Tong Sen

died on 11 May 1941 in his mansion in Tai Po, Hong Kong and was cremated and buried there. His

eldest son Eu Keng Chee (popularly known as K.C. Eu) who was also a joint owner of his company

since 1926 succeeded his business empire.



Eu Tong Sen and sons

Wives:

Wong Ping Fook / Wong Seet Kin (1878 - 1953)

Chong Soon Nui (b. 1881)

Wong Soo Ngoh (b. 1882)

Choi Hei Yong (b. 1904)

Jenny Eu (aka Liu Suk Ching; Liao Zheng’er) (1903 - 1978)

Liu Lai Chan (b. 1914)

Jennie Ching-yee Liu

Sons:

Eu Keng Chee (aka K.C. Eu) (1900 - 1957)

Eu Keng Loon (b. 1916)

Eu Keng Ngo (b. 1917)

William Eu Keng Yuet (1920)

Edward Eu Keng Oi (b. 1921)

Henry Eu Keng Hong (b. 1923)

Richard Eu Keng Mun (b. 1923)

Charles Eu Keng Pang (b. 1926)

Alexander Eu Keng Kee (b. 1927)

John Eu Keng Dean (aka Eu Keng Tien) (1927 - 2009)

Overseas Chinese in the British Empire Eu Tong Sen 余东璇_files/eu tong sen and sons.png


OUR FIRST HERITAGE POST- THE PROPERTY WILL OF EU TONG SEN Fred Eu Keng Fai (1930 - 1993)

Andrew Eu Keng Wai (1931 - 1977)

Roy Eu Keng Iu (aka Eu Keng Yiu) (b. 1933)

Daughters:

Eu Sai Yeok (b. 1904)

Eu Khee Po (b. 1912)

Eu Lim Sam (b. 1916)

Eu Fong Lin (b. 1918)

Eu Nancy (b. 1925)

Eu Lucy (b.1925)

Eu Josephine (b. 1926)

Eu Pansy (b. 1926)

Eu Celia (b. 1929)

Eu Kathleen (b. 1930)

Eu Sau Chan (b. 1907) - adopted

References:

CHUNG, Stephanie Po-Yin. (2005). The Transformation of an Overseas Chinese Family: Three

Generations of the Eu Tong Sen Family, 1822-1941. Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 39, No. 3, (pp. 599-

630)

LIAN, Kwen Fee & KOH, Keng We. (2004). Chinese Enterprise in Colonial Malaya: The Case of Eu

Tong Sen. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, Vol. 35, No. 3, (pp. 415-432)

CHUNG, Stephanie Po-Yin. (2002). Surviving Economic Crises in Southeast Asia and Southern

China: The History of Eu Yan Sang Business Conglomerates in Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 36, No. 3, (pp. 579-617)

RIMBA. (1922). Bygone Selangor. Kuala Lumpur. (p. 21)

TONG, Fock Siew. (2009). Dynamics of Family Business: The Chinese Way. Cengage Learning Asia

(pp. 84-86)

WRIGHT, Arnold. (1907). Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People,

Commerce, Industries, and Resources. London: Lloyd’s Greater Britain Publishing Co., Ltd. (p. 534)

YEUNG, Henry Wai-Chung. (2004). Chinese Capitalism in a Global Era: Towards a Hybrid

Capitalism.

YEUNG, Henry Wai-chung. (2001). Managing Traditional Chinese Family Firms Across Borders: Four

Generations of Entrepreneurship of Eu Yan Sang. (pp. 184- 207). In DOUW, Leo, et al. (Eds.).

Rethinking Chinese Transnational Enterprises: Cultural Affinity and Business Strategies. Surrey:

Curzon Press.

CHUNG, Stephanie Po-Yin. (2001). Doing Business in Southeast Asia and Southern China - Booms

and Busts of the Eu Yan Sang Business Conglomerates, 1876-1941. (pp. 158-183). In DOUW, Leo, et

al. (Eds.). Rethinking Chinese Transnational Enterprises: Cultural Affinity and Business Strategies.

Surrey: Curzon Press.


OUR FIRST HERITAGE POST- THE PROPERTY WILL OF EU TONG SEN SHARP, Ilsa. (2009). Strategies Path of the Righteous Crane: The Life & Legacy of Eu Tong Sen.

Singapore: Landmark Books

News Archives:

The Straits Times, 11 February 1927, Page 8

The Straits Times, 19 March 1927, Page 9

The Straits Times, 9 September 1934, Page 4

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 21 June 1940, Page 3

The Straits Times, 13 May 1941, Page 2

The Straits Times, 9 April 1952, Page 8

The Straits Times, 24 December 1953, Page 7

The Straits Times, 28 March 1970, Page 18

Written by Eugene Khoo Source :

http://overseaschineseinthebritishempire.blogspot.sg/2014/03/eu-tong-sen.html

http://overseaschineseinthebritishempire.blogspot.sg/2014/03/eu-tong-sen.html



Autographs of most Eu Ton Sen’s Son



Joseph William Eu

Roy Eu

Andrew Eu

Fred Eu

John Eu



Alex Eu

Richard Eu

Eu Keng Yuet

Eu Keng Ngo

Eu Keng Loon



Power Of Attorney- HSBC Maurice Turner & James Milliken

For Henry Eu Keng Hong

Chan Peck Yuan



My own sentiments on these documents :

I feel very attached to all these documents as it to me travelling in time and being there in

the room with all the people as the documents we sign. It tells a great tales of a great man who hve

made his mark in history and we still have the joy of having in our memories in Singapore. EU Tong

Seng Street, Majestic Theatre and the old great Southern Hotel in Chinatown now is an emporium.

I have another documents that will reveal many of the addresses of his property soon to

come. I hunt only historical facts on real estate history, it includes a focus land deeds collection that

tells the story from Raffles conquest in Java to what now is our great republic . My Singapore.

I dedicated this next 52 weeks to share my passion for Singapore’s Real Estate History and

reveal the men and woman who have made a mark in today’s great Real Estate.

I do speaking engagements on my collection and hobby to corporate events to expand my

reach of knowledge and interest. I am an advocator of real estate, heritage and provenance of what

soil and land we now called our great home Singapore.

Written By Simon Monteiro www.shophouse.com.sg

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