Sarawak Villa - Heritage Houses Series

Sarawak Villa was a beautiful home. It was said to be once the residence for Ong Hood Hin and located at 313 Upper East Coast Road (later re-numbered to 320 Upper East Coast Road as seen in the picture below). 

The name "Sarawak Villa" was probably from the extensive business dealing with Sarawak that Ong Hood Hin parents and grandparents had. Ong Hood Hin passed away at the age of 76 on 22nd July 1957 at his residence, 313 Upper East Coast Road, leaving behind his only son, Ong Cheng Bee, 1 daughter-in-law and 7 grandchildren. He is buried in Senh Ong Burial Ground. (One of Mr. Ong Hood Hin's wife, Madam Tan Swat Neo is the eldest daughter of the Tan Jiak Kim. She passed away at the age of 26). 

Sarawak Villa in the 1960's (source: National Archives)

Sarawak Villa (close-up ) (source: PictureSG) 

Father: Ong Tiang Soon (1855-1934)

Ong Tiang Soon is the eldest son of Ong Ewe Hai. Following in his father's footsteps, he traded in rice and general produce, and was a merchant and steamship agent under the style of Soon Whatt and Soon Chiang at North Bridge Road. The firm were agents for the Sarawak and Singapore Steamship Company (steamers; Raja of Sarawak & Kuching). Rice was sent to Borneo and in return, pepper, gambier, rubber, sago flour and rattan were brought in. Ong Tiang Soon residence is "Bonny Grass", 100 River Valley Road. (see below for more information). Ong Tiang Soon passed away at his residence, No 12 Kim Yam Road on 30 October 1934 at the age of 80. The cortege left from No. 12 Kim Yam Road for the family Burial Ground at Boon Teck Road.

Ong Tiang Soon is the father of:

9 sons; Messrs. Ong Leng Hoon, Ong Hood Hin, Ong Chip Hee, Ong Beow Sim, Ong Chip Yan, Ong Chip Hong, Ong Chip Joo, Ong Joo Chin and Ong Soo Keng. 

5 daughters; Ong Yan Lin Neo, Ong Yan Gay Neo, Ong Yan Ho Neo, Ong Chim Kay Neo, Ong Yan Lip Neo

5 sons-in-laws; Tan Kwee Liang, Tan Teng Ann, Tay Teng Hup, Soh Yiew Jin, Dr. Thung Siang Swee,

9 daughters-in-law, 48 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Ong Tiang Soon

Grandfather: Ong Ewe Hai / Kapitan Ong Ewe Hai of Kuching (1830-1889)

Ong Ewe Hai was born in February 1830 in Singapore. His father, Ong Koon Thian passed away when Ong Ewe Hai was 7 years old and with only his widowed mother bringing up a family of 6 (3 boys and 3 girls), Ong Ewe Hai had to grow up fast and grew up fast he did, cutting his teeth doing odd jobs and doing petty trade. Together with Lim Eng Moh, they left for Sarawak and guess correctly what was needed by the locals there and provided the necessary merchandise from Singapore that will sell well in Sarawak and became a successful trader. Ong Ewe Hai & Co. maintained it extensive business relations with Sarawak and acts as agents for the Sarawak and Singapore Steamship Co. Ltd. Rajah Charles appointed him as his Chinese Affairs advisor and later Kapitan China. Ong Ewe Hai built his residence, "Bonny Grass" in River Valley Road but he passed away before its completion. Ong Ewe Hai passed away on 9th June 1889 at the age of 60.  He was survived by 17 children and was buried in his estate off Bukit Timah Road behind Holland Road railway station, where his wife is also buried. 

Ong Ewe Hai