Mr Gan Eng Seng, His Life and Family

His Life

Mr Gan Eng Seng came from a Hokkien family. He was born, bred and educated in Malacca and was the eldest in his family. His ancestors emigrated from Fukkien Province in China to Malaya. He had a younger brother, Gan Eng Chye and three sisters, Gin Neo, Guat Neo and Guan Neo. As he was not from a very well - to - do family, he only had an elementary school education which he learnt to read and write in English and keep accounts. He came to Singapore after his father's death when he was sixteen and went into the nutmeg business.

Later on, he was taken on as an apprentice by Messrs. Guthrie and Company. He married his first wife, Koh Chwee Neo at the age of eighteen and he adopted his first son. After a year, he was promoted to the post of Assistant storekeeper and then Chief storekeeper of the company and for 25 years, he was the Chief Compradore of the company. He died on the 9th September 1899 at the young age of 55 at his house which was then known as No. 87 Amoy Street. When he died, he left behind 5 wives, 7 sons, 5 daughters and 4 grandsons.

His Immediate Family

His Immediate Family

Our Founder was born in Malacca. He had a poor childhood and came to Singapore at the age of 17. He worked hard and became successful as a businessman. Since he was unable to have much of an education in his youth, it was his ambition in life to build a school and help those who were poor. He realised his dream in 1885 with the founding of the Anglo-Chinese Free School. He was far-sighted placing emphasis on bilingualism in the school. this school became GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL in 1893. As a philanthropist, he was also noted for his donations to local hospital funds. He also founded a school for the children of the poor at Sam-Loh in the Fukien province of China. He died at the age of 55 in 1899.