Tan Sin How and family (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Tan Sin How nee Madam Seow Goh Neo passed away at the age of 67 on 23 May 1945 at her residence, No. 25 Chapel Road. She leaves behind 2 sons, Tan Swee Hee and Tan Chiang Hin, 1 daughter-in-law,Mrs. Tan Swee Hee, 1 daughter, Lily Tan (on the tomb, Tan Lee Neo), 1 prospective son-in-law, Lim Peng Swee and one grand-daughter, Alice Tan. Tan Sin How passed away at the age of 50 on 24 February 1926 at No. 42 Neil Road. He leaves behind a widow (2 sons; Mr. Tan Swee Hee and Tan Charlie). 

Madam Seow Goh Neo

Obituary notice of Mrs. Tan Sin How

[Update: 23 April 2022]

Recently i found the marble slab of Mr. Tan Sin How which list his date of death as 24 February 1926 at the age of 50. 

Sons: Tan Swee Hee, Tan Chiang Hin 

Daughter: Tan Lee Nro 

Granddaughter: Alice Tan

Tan Sin How 

Family

Son: Tan Swee Hee 
Tan Swee Hee was an hon.secretary in 1934 and for many years of the Singapore Chinese Exchange Broker's Association whose premise was at South Canal Road. Tan Swee Hee went on to be the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Swee Hee & Co. Ltd. Tan Swee Hee passed away at the age of 81 on 7th December 1978. He is survived by his wife, Madam Lim Choo Neo, only daughter, Alice Tan, son-in-law; George Lee Eng Koon, 2 grand daughters; Mrs. Linda Lee Goh and Miss Lydia Lee, granadson-in-law; Francos Goh Tien Kee and only grandson-in-law, Alexander Mark Goh. 

Tan Swee Hee & Co Ltd, was one of Singapore's oldest money broking firms. It finally obtained an international money-broking license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore after its tie-up with a London-based subsidiary of Sime Darby, the Guy Butler Group. The new venture company is called Tan Swee Hee-Butler Pte Ltd. 

Grand-daughter: Alice Tan nee Alice Tan Lay Cheng nee Mrs. Alice Lee. 

Miss Alice Tan Lay Cheng (daughter of Mr. and Mrs Tan Swee Hee) married Mr. George Lee Eng Koon (nephew of Mr. Lee Tian Seck anf Mrs. Lee). More than 200 guest attended a dinner dance on 21st January 1950 at Mr. Lee's residence at Tembeling Road. Madam Alice Tan passed away on 28 June 1985 leaving behind her mother, Mrs. Tan Swee Hee, husband, George Le, daughters, Linda Lee Goh, Lydia Lee Willocks, son-in-law, Francis Goh, George Willocks, grandchildren, Alexander Mark Goh, Anthony Lee Goh, Lee Willocks, Gemma Willocks . Cortege left from 25 Chapel Road.

25 Chapel Road 

The house at 25 Chapel Road was bought by Tan Swee Hee in 1932 for $12,000 and from the article dated 2010 in an interview of the grandchildren of Tan Swee Hee (sisters; Linda Lee and Lydia Lee) recall that the single-storey bungalow originally had 2 bedrooms. One used by their grandparents (Tan Swee Hee) and the other shared by their parents and them ( George Lee Eng Koon and Alice Tan). The extension was added later on. In 2008, the house was given a $1.7 million makeover after the death of Mr. George Lee. 

25 Chapel Road in 1993. Photo by Lee Kip Lin (source: PictureSG)

URA described this pre-war Anglo-Malay style bungalow as one built on piers above ground as guard against flooding. The veranda (serambi) is in front followed by the house core (rumah ibu) and the kitchen (dapur) at the back. 

25 Chapel Road (source: URA)

25 Chapel Road (source: URA)

42 Neil Road 

Interestingly during the time period of 1925-1926, 42 Neil Road was the house where Seow Tiang Quee, Compradore Netherlands Trading Society passed away at the age of 75 on 22 February 1925. He is survived by a widow, 2 sons, 3 daughters, 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is buried in Bukit Brown.  Is Seow Tiang Quee the father of Madam Seow Goh Neo ?  (i am not sure at the moment until we find the tomb of Seow Tiang Quee and see the names of the children).  House No 42 Neil Road was later renumbered after 1945 as No. 75 Neil Road )

Location of Tomb 

Tan Sin How is buried in Hill 1 Division B, plot 174 and Madam Seow Goh Neo, plot 175

Mr and Mrs Tan Sin How

[research on-going]

References

Births, Marriages and Deaths. (1926, February 24). Malaya Tribune, page 6
Advertisement. (1945, May 23). Syonan Shimbun, page 2

Advertisement. (1946, June 4). Malaya Tribune, page 5

Wedding Party. (1950, January 22). The Straits Times, page 9 

Family home restored. (2010, October 9). Straits Times, page 9

A secret hideaway. (website). The Long and Winding Road

25 Chapel Road.(website). RichardHO Architects