Gan Eng Seng

Gan Eng Seng, alias Yen Hsi K'un, was a Chinese ethnic leader, labor contractor and a landed proprietor of early Singapore who contributed considerably to charities like hospitals and schools. He began the Gan Eng Seng Free School in 1885 in his shophouses along Telok Ayer Street.

Born into a poor Hokkien family in Malacca, Gan probably had a rudimentary education that allowed him to read and write English and keep accounts. He came to Singapore at 16 upon his father's death and had his humble beginnings at a nutmeg plantation. Joining Guthrie and Company in 1861 at the age of 17, he rose through the ranks to become chief storekeeper and in 1874, the company's chief comprador, a position he held for 25 years. Gan concurrently ran various business ventures with the help of his sons, and his golden goose proved to be the supply of Chinese labor and transport for the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company. Guthrie partner and a father of the Tanjong Pagar Docks, Thomas Scott, helped Gan secure a better footing in his business at the docks by financing the budding company under the name of Chop Guan Ban Seng. Upon Gan's death, the business continued only a mere 3 years under his son Gan Tiang Tok before it rapidly declined along with his health.

Among his charitable accomplishments was the establishment of the Anglo-Chinese Free School in some shop houses in Telok Ayer Steet in 1885, and which later was transferred into a new building in 1893, officially opened by the Governor Sir Clementi Smith. This school was later named Gan Eng Seng School after its founder.

When Gan died in 1899, he left behind 5 wives, 4 of whom were in Singapore and the other in Sam Tam, near Amoy, China. He also had 7 sons (5 adopted and 2 his own), 5 daughters and 4 grandsons.