Cheok Cheng Kee and family (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Cheok Cheng Kee is a chinese banking pioneer in Singapore. He was a banker with shares in many of the prominent Chinese banks of his time and that included directorship of banks such as the Chinese Commercial Bank, Ho Hong Bank, a shareholder of the Batu Pahat Bank, Limited and eventually of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd (OCBC). 

Chinese Commercial Bank (established 1912)

Cheok Cheng Kee was a director and eventual Chairman of Directors. When the announcement that the big Chinese Banks will eventually amalgamate, the directors of the Chinese Commercial Bank Ltd. in 1932 were Cheok Cheng Kee (Chairman), Lee Kong Chian, S.Q. Wong, Cheong Chwee Phuan, Yap Twee, Lim Keng Lian, S.C. Chan, Lee Chin Tian, Gan Say Hong, Drs. Lim Boon Keng and H.T. Wee. Other past Chairman /co-founders include Lim Nee Soon and Lee Choon Guan. See Boo Ih was a Managing Director and Wee Theam Seng a Manager (1927 timeline) 

Ho Hong Bank (established 1917)

During the 12th annual general meeting held at its registered office at 94, Market Street on May 1929, Mr. Lim Peng Mau presided. It was attended by Chee Swee Cheng, Tan Swee Hoe, See Boh Ih, Cheok Cheng Kee, Seow Poh Leng, Tan Chin Tan, Lim Bock Kee, Chua Keh Hai, Chia Giang Soon and Hooi Yip Beng (secretary). In fact, Cheok Cheng Kee was a shareholder of Ho Hong Bank for many years and past Chairman's include familiar names such as Lim Peng Siang. 

Batu Pahat Bank, Limited. 

From a notice, i get insight that Cheok Cheng Kee is one of the shareholders of Batu Pahat Bank Limited when a notice of application for duplicate scrip to replace his lost shares was put out in the newspapers. He had a certificate for 60 shares of $100 each ($6000) issued on 6th October 1919 and another certificate issued 4th August 1925 for 135 shares of $100 ($13,500) under his name. 

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd (OCBC).

The amalgamation of the Chinese Commercial Bank, Overseas Chinese Bank and Ho Hong was approved by their respective shareholders on 31 October 1932 and The OCBC was incorporated with a nominal capital of $40 million and a paid-up capital of $10 million was incorporated to take over the business of the 3 banks. The OCBC started business on 2 January 1933 and its first directors of the new bank were

Nominated by the Chinese Commercial Bank : Messrs. Cheok Cheng Kee, Yap Twee, Wong Siew Qui (S.Q. Wong), Lee Kong Chian, Gan Say Hong and Lim Keng Lian

Nominated by the Ho Hong Bank: Messrs. Chee Swee Cheng, Chan Kang Swi, Tan Cheng Lock, Tan Swee Hoe, Lee Choon Seng, Aw Boon Par

Nominated by the Oversea-Chinese Bank Limited: Messrs, Chua Ka Cheong, Yin Suat Chuan, Hiap Tock Wee, Lim Liat Boon, Oh Sian Guan and Tan Ean Kiam 

Mr. Cheok Cheng Kee passed away at the age of 87 on 2nd July 1940 at No. 23 Duxton Hill 

Mrs. Cheok Cheng Kee nee Tan Yean Neo passed away at the age of 64 at her residence, No. 23 Duxton Hill on 31st March 1927. She leaves behind her husband,
5 sons; Cheok Chin Giap, Cheok Chin Seng, Cheok Chin Soon, Cheok Chin Huat, Cheok Chin Ho
2 daughters, 1 son-in-law ( Koh Toon Hor) and 11 grandchildren

Troubles at home

Cheok Cheng Kee on 11 January 1937 took up a notice disowning two of his sons - Cheok Chin Huat and Cheok Chin Seng. What transpired and whether was there any reconciliation prior to Cheok Cheng Kee's death 3 years later in 1940 is a mystery to me for now. 

Family 

Daughter: Cheok Sye Huay

The marriage of Mr. Tan Beng Thong (second son of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chian) to Miss Cheok Sye Huay ( second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cheok Cheng Kee) took place in the reformed syle on 16 June 1929 at "Lochaber", No. 19 Scotts Road. 

Daughter: Mrs. Koh Toon Hor

Koh Toon Hor  alias Koh Hock Khoon passed away at the age of 76 on 29 December 1959. He leaves behind 4 son, 1 son-in-law, 4 daughters-in-law and many grandchildren. Cortege leaves 309 Upper East Coast Road for Whitley Road. 

Location of tomb 

Mrs. Cheok Cheng Kee  nee Tan Yean Neo is buried in Block 2 Section C, plot 91 and 1/2 of 92. It is unfortunate that Mrs. Cheok Cheng Kee's tomb was hit by a tree and the tomb shoulder destroyed. The headstone is intact and lying flat. 

Mr. Cheok Cheng Kee plot number is 93 and 1/2 of 92

[research still on-going]

Group photo of Directors and Staff of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC) in 1933

References

Deaths. (1927, April 7). The Straits Times, page 8 

Ho Hong Bank. (1929, May 17). Malaya Tribune, page 11

Domestic Occurrences. (1929, June 15). Malaya Tribune, page 8

Advertisements. (1933, July 18). Malaya Tribune, page 16

Local Bank Merger. (1932, July 28). Malaya Tribune, page 10

Advertisement. (1937, January 13). Malaya Tribune, page 9

Deaths. (1940, July 5). Malaya Tribune, page 10

Tribute to bank founders' faith and foresight. (1972, October 31). The Straits Times, page 4