Tan Cheng Hoe (Bukit Brown)

Writing about a person buried in Bukit Brown and searching for their stories is not an easy task. As outsiders (non-family members of the deceased), we rely on what has been published online and through old newspaper archives. While exploring Hill 5 Section 5 of Bukit Brown, we came across the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Cheng Hoe. Tan Cheng Hoe (陳清和) passed away on 8 February 1940 at the age of 57. His wife, Madam Khoo Kim Lian passed away on 7 February 1953 at the age of 78. 

Listed on the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Cheng Hoe's tomb are the names of their children;

Son: Tan Koon Guan, Tan Koon Chwee, Tan Koon Choon
Daughter: Tan Siew Kee, Tan Teow Kee, Tan Chye Luan, Tan Mong Kum, Tan Siew Geh, Tan Sai Kim
Grandson: William Tan

Tan Cheng Hoe 

Madam Khoo Kim Lian

Tan Cheng Hoe (1883-1940) was born in Jinsha Village, Kinmen Island. His family was in the salt production business in Kinmen. Together with his elder brother they cane down to Bengkalis Island (Dutch controlled at that time). He was educated there before coming to Singapore in seek of fortune. A story of rags to riches, he started by becoming a coolie in the shipping trading business before being recognised for his responsibility and leadership and hired by the Stevedore of the Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM) Shipping company. His business acumen led him to be trusted by many other trading companies to manage the loading/unloading of goods. Tan Cheng Hoe ended up becoming a wealthy rice merchant, with warehouses along Boat Quay. The rice was imported mainly from Sumatra and brought in via tonkangs that he owned. 

He married Khoo Kim Lian Neo who gave birth to their first child, Tan Siew Kee. Tan Cheng Hoe lived at Choon Guan Street in a row of four communal houses (where International Plaza now stands). He has 4 wives and is buried beside his 1st wife, Khoo Kim Lian. 

Tan Cheng Hoe with other locals and Europeans in a unknown event 
(Photo courtesy of Benedict Khoo) 

Funeral Hearse of Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe 
(photo credit: Benedict Khoo)

Family 

One of Tan Cheng Hoe and Madam Khoo Lian Neo's granddaughter is Amy Khoo Chew Neo (better know as Venerable Sek Bao Shi). Venerable Sek Bao Shi of the The Buddhist Union is the daughter of Tan Siew Kee.  

Location of tomb 

The tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Cheng Hoe is located at Block 5, Section C, plot 172 and 179.

Mr. and Mrs. Tan Cheng Hoe (Bukit Brown)

Kian Seng Huat (tomb mason and contractor)

References
Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe, allowing a lorry fully loaded with men to run over..(1935, January 19). Malaya Tribune 

Physical Culture Display in Aid of China Relief Fund. (1932, March 19). Malaya Tribune, page 20
東華學校遊藝大會今晚在大世界舉行南益報効餅干精美報効汽水(1935, June 17).南洋商报,Page 7

Facebook correspondence with James Tann. (grandson of Tan Cheng Hoe). 3th November 2020

Post note [3th November 2020]

After reading my article, the grandson of Tan Cheng Hoe, James Tann helped fill in the gaps of his grandfather ancestry place, residence in Singapore and occupation. What is still unconfirmed is whether the picture of Tan Cheng Hoe as a strong man of Malaya and energy master is actually him at all (although name and chinese name bears the same character). I will leave it as part of this article for now for the mystery it evokes. 

A Theory -Strong Man of Malaya and Energy Master
Online information about him is sketchy (until after posting this article, i made connection with the grandson of Tan Cheng Hoe who gracefully helped fill in the gaps of his grandfather ancestry place, residence in Singapore and occupation), but one article that caught my eye because the time-period of the article puts Tan Cheng Hoe at around 49-50 years old. It was an article that shouts out; "Mr. Tan Cheng Hoe, allowing a lorry fully loaded with men to run over his body while he is lying on a bed of nails' !"  It was actually very exciting news, but i was still skeptical as Tan Cheng Hoe would not be young at that time although the face of the person below share similarities to his tomb picture. Another article features Tan Cheng Hoe, described as the best pupil of Mr. Soh Cheong Seow, performing "Eight Fairies Bridge," and support 20 men while lying on bed on nails. Soh Cheong Seow was described as an Amateur Strong Man and Hon. Member of the The Cheng Boo Athletic Association. 

Tan Cheng Hoe run over by a lorry fully loaded with men

I asked Raymond Goh for help and he shared with me an article that mentions Tan Cheng Hoe (陳清和) this time using his chinese characters and similar results came out describing him as a strong man. It is possible that this is the same Tan Cheng Hoe that is buried in Bukit Brown and hopefully descendants of Tan Cheng Hoe can one day confirmed my current theory on Tan Cheng Hoe.