Koh Hoon Teck (source: Singapore: 500 early postcards) |
The rise and fall of Koh and Co.
Koh Hoon Teck established Koh and Co., a bookshop company in 90 Bras Basah, Raffles Hotel, selling books, postcards and stationary. Among the popular books published and sold from Koh and Bros included Cherita Abu Nawas (Tale of Abu Nawas), Cherita Abu Nawas dan rampay rampay (Tale of Abu Nawas and Miscellaneous Tales), Pantun Dondang Sayang volumes 1 to 3. He was known to have brought in essence of stangee (scented wood) and bunga rampay (sweet scented flower). He bought over a printing press by the name of "Rahim Brothers" and incorporated into his company, Koh and Company on November 26, 1914. By 1924, Koh Hoon Teck had to vacate the bookshop from Raffles Hotel and was also at one point taken to court by the Sarkies Brother, the landlord of Raffles Hotel for 3 months preferential payment for rent due, before the former assets (of Koh and Co) were divided by the the governments Official Assignees. This were difficult times, financially for both Koh Hoon Teck and his wife. It was described that his wife had to sell her diamond kerosangs (brooches) and charge a levy for the use of her house for the nyonya card game.
(source: Twentieth Century impressions of British Malaya) |
Koh & Co Books on sale and prices (source: NewspaperSG) |
Tragedy during the Japanese Occupation
Koh Hoon Teck had six sons and 4 daughters. However during the Japanese occupation most infamous Sook Ching massacre, 3 of his sons and a son-in-law fell victim and were killed. One of them was Koh Kung Chuan, William (Koh Kong Chuan)- a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps.
(source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission) |
Gunong Sayang Association
(source: The Peranakan) |
Death and grave request
Koh Hoon Teck passed away at 168, Carpmael Road, age 78 (papers report 3 years older compared to the year on his tombstone) on February 14, 1956. He is survived by 3 sons; Koh Kong Swee. Koh Kong Leong, Max Koh, 4 daughters, 4 son-in-laws; Chin Chye Fong, Thio Keng Tiang, Wee Tiang Swee,Pang Pee Nang.
Koh Hoon Teck prior to his death requested for two things to be done. Firstly, that his hearse was to be accompanied by the singing of dondang sayang. It didn't stop there as he was buried with a song too. So, while relatives weep, his old friends from the Dondang Sayang Association sang and had a pantun party to the accompaniment of gongs, drums and violin. The meaning pantun that was recited:
Secondly, Koh Hoon Teck requested that he was to be buried in a 7-tiered Ming Dynasty funeral costume with the corresponding elaborate rights and rituals of the Ming Dynasty (which was the last empire which were ruled by the Han chinese), before the Qing took over. His eldest surviving son was tasked to perform this traditional custom dressed in Ming outfit which was later removed and used to dress his father.
Koh Hoon Teck's funeral ritual |
Tomb of Mr and Mrs Koh Hoon Teck |
Sons listed in English |
Koh Gek Kee (Mrs Chin Chye Fong), Koh Gek Poh (Mrs Thio Keng Tiang), Koh Gek Seck (Mrs Wee Tiang Siew), Koh Gek Choo (Mrs Pang Pee Nang).
Sister: Koh Keng Hay
Miss Koh Keng Hay married Mr Hoe Eng Watt. The widow of the late Mr Hoe Eng Watt passed away at the age of 57 at her residence, No 193 Marine Parade Road on December 17, 1939. She is survived by her elder brother, Koh Hoon Teck, her 2 sons; Hoe Cheng Yan, Hoe Cheng Hin, 1 adopted son; Koh Keng Leng, 4 daughters and 4 son-in-laws; Chin Chye Fong, Ee Kim Guan, Peck Teck Chee, Lim Chong Beng, 2 daughter-in-laws.
Father and Mother: Koh Lian Ghee and Wan Chin Neo
Koh Hoon Teck gave a warm reception to many of his friends at his residence, Bunga Rampay Villa, 561 East Coast Road on the occasion of his father's 71st birthday. Koh Lian Ghee passed away September 3, 1936 age 82 and Madam Wan Chin Neo passed away October 25, 1938 age 75. Their tomb is close by to their son, Koh Hoon Teck at Hill 1, Division B.
Tomb of Mr and Mrs Koh Lian Ghee |
Grandmother: Mrs Chia Kiow Neo
Mrs Chia Kiow Neo, mother of Koh Lian Ghee and grandmother of Koh Hoon Teck , When she passed away on January 17, 1910 at the age of 80 something, her remains were moved from 105 Chin Swee Road to Alexandra Private cemetery.
Grandmother: Tok Selat
Tok Selat passed away on March 20, 1909 at 105 Chin Swee Road. She was the grandmother of Fam Kuan Fook, Fam Fook Sang and Koh Hoon Teck.
Videos
Koh Hoon Teck as remembered by GT Lye (a veteran female impersonator who has played the role of the Peranakan matriarch numerous times). Note of his mention of Kak Minah, the malay lady singer with the beautiful voice (see picture above).
Koh Hoon Teck as remembered by GT Lye. Note of him recalling Koh Hoon Teck's queue cutting ceremony at Ta Jin Road, house of Ngo Yam Bee, a fellow Cornwall Minstrel core (Ngo Yam Bee is buried close by, behind his tomb).
Pantun at Koh Hoon Teck's tomb
References
Discards the Queue. (1908, October 15). The Singapore Free Press, page 5
Deaths. (1909, March 22). The Straits Times, page 6
Cornwall Minstrels. (1909, October 11). The Straits Times, page 6
Social and Personal. (1910, January 24).The Straits Times, page 6
Untitled. (1912, November 8). The Straits Times, page 8
Bankruptcy Court. (1924, February 23). The Straits Times, page 9
Matters Chinese. (1925, July 22). The Singapore Free Press, page 16
Death. (1939, December 18). The Straits Times, page 2
Death.(1956, February 15). The Straits Times, page 6
Sing Pantuns for me at my funeral. (1956, February 16). The Straits Times, page 9
He was buried with a song. (1956, February 19). The Straits Times, page 5
Seng, C. J. (2006). Singapore: 500 early postcards. Editions Didier Millet.
Song, O.S. (1984). One hundred years history of the Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press
Gwee, T. H. W. (2007, July-September). Remembering Baba Koh Hoon Teck a pioneering Baba entrepreneur. The Peranakan, pp. 19-20.
Koh Hoon Teck. [website]. Infopedia.
Dondang Sayang. [website]. Infopedia
Gunong Sayang Association. [website]. Infopedia
Thou shoult not tread the earth or see the sky. [website]. Bukit Brown Heritage Park.
And the music plays on. [website]. Bukit Brown Heritage Park.
Pantuns.[website].All things Bukit Brown.
Casualty details. [website]. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Hi
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful work you have put in for this website. It is awesome, and an incredible research database on old Singapore.
May I ask you to correct the following typo errors:
Koh Lian Ghee passed away September 3, 1939 age 82 and Madam Wan Chin Neo passed away October 23, 1939 age 75.
Actually, Koh Lian Ghee died on September 3, 1936, and Wan Chin Neo died on October 25, 1938.
One thing that puzzles me is that Koh Hoon Teck is said to have died aged 78, but when one looks at the Bukit Brown Burial Register (http://www.nas.gov.sg/docs/ECC024/009.pdf) at page 192, Koh Hoon Teck is stated to have been 68. I think that the person who wrote the Burial Register made a mistake, because if he had 68, his sister, Koh Keng Hay (mentioned on your site; her burial record is http://www.nas.gov.sg/docs/ECC013/009.pdf at page 263) should have been his elder sister, instead of Koh Hoon Teck being elder to her.
Incidentally, Koh Lian Ghee's obituary said he had one son and 2 daughters. The other daughter is Mrs Tan Eng Wee. Do you have any information about her?
The family is back in the Straits Times Dec 8 2013 with the disposal of the old family home and the search for descendants.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the work. Awesome information about my Great Grandfather. Now I know where my musical abilities & uncanny similar looks to him come from.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patrick !!
ReplyDeleteFam Kuan Fook passed away 1919, worked at Koh & Co. also
ReplyDeletehttp://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19190828-1.2.19?ST=1&AT=search&k=Fam%20Kuan%20Fook&QT=fam,kuan,fook&oref=article
Fam Fook Sang's wife was TAN Chik Lee Neo
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19161023-1.2.12.3?ST=1&AT=search&k=Fam%20Fook%20Sang&QT=fam,fook,sang&oref=article