Soh Boon Hup and family (Bukit Brown)

Soh Boon Hup was a stevedore and proprietor of Son Boon Hup and Co. with office at Raffles Chamber. He owned many "tongkangs" or "twakows". This boats were used primarily to transport cargo between ships in the outer harbour and godowns along the Singapore river. He started Soh Boon Hup and Co. , a tongkangs and twakows business 20 years ago with a capital of $20,000 being his own savings since the time he worked for his father about 30 years ago. Soh Boon Hup was an avid football player who played with White Star in 1912-1918 and continued play for senior charity matches, and there was records of Soh Boon Hup playing soccer up to 1932. Soh Boon Hup passed away on 14th February 1939 at the age of  51.

Madam Poh Lye Neo and Mr. Soh Boon Hup 

Soh Boon Hup's company

Tongkangs and Twakows at Boat Quay along Singapore River in the 1930s

The decline of Soh Boon Hup Co.

The business was a little profitable at first but started to decline since 1927 onwards. Soh Boon Hup signed promissory notes to the amount of $24,000 to tide his business decline. He eventually lost it all. In 1930, Soh Boon Hup had a fleet of 15 tongkangs which he employed 5 coolies for each tongkang. Upkeep of each tongkang (exclusive of repairs ) was $40 a month. Office and wages amounted to about $300 a month and rent was about $30 a month. He tried to source for funds from a partnership in a business he made 15 years ago in which he invested $3000 capital in it. He tried selling his share of the capital, but received nothing. In bankruptcy court proceedings in 1931, i found out that Soh Boon Hup has 2 wives, 8 sons and 8 daughters, but in another court article, it mentions that he has 2 wives, 6 sons and daughters. Soh Boon Hup was granted his discharge in 1935.

Family 

On his tomb are the names of his children and grandchildren. Sons: Soh Koon Yam, Soh Kim ? , Soh Kim Yean, Soh Kim Koan, Soh Kim Toh, Soh Kim Kee, Soh Kim Than,
Daughters; Soh Ah Eng, Soh Ah Geok, Soh Ah Nee, Soh Ah Sah, Soh Ah Lian, Soh Kay Kia, Soh Ah Kia,
Grandsons; Soh Cheong Bong, Soh Cheong Leng, Soh Cheong Foo,
Grand-daughters, Soh Cheong Siew

Wife: Madam Poh Lye Neo
Mrs. Soh Boon Hup nee Poh Lye Neo passed away on 3rd February 1959 at 18 Wallich Street leaving behind several children and grandchildren. The article went on to mentioned that funeral will take place on 5th February 1959 for Bukit Brown. This is confirmed by a burial registrar record of her burial.

Daughter: Miss Soh Ah Eng
Miss Soh Ah Eng (eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Soh Boon Hup) engaged Mr. Lauw Hong Peng (youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lauw Konh Phiauw of Semarang).

Location of tomb

The tomb of Mr Soh Boon Hup and Madam Poh Lye Neo /Poh Lai Neo is in Bukit Brown, Hill 4, Section C, plot 1554.

Soh Boon Hup and Madam Poh Lye Neo

[research on-going]

References

Halaman 2 Iklan Ruangan 1. (1924, February 29). Kabar Slalu, page 2
Advertisement. (1928, November 15). The Straits Times, page 7
Bankruptcy Court. (1931, May 21). The Straits Times, page 12
Soccer "has-beens" to return. (1932, June 10). The Straits Times, page 13
Deaths. (1959, February 4). The Straits Times, page 8 
Bumboats berthed at Boat Quay along Singapore River. National Archives Online