Toh Ah Boon

Dato'
Toh Ah Boon
卓亚文
Personal details
Born 1860
Singapore
Died 1 April 1932
Johor Bahru
Spouse(s) Tan Kow Neo (陈九娘)
Children 1. Toh Gim Seng (M)
2. Toh Ah Moh (M)
3. G.H. Toh (M)
4. Toh Gim Bah (M)
5. Toh Gim Soo (M)
6. Toh Gim Phee (M)
7. Toh Gim Chen (M)
8. Toh Boo Neo (F)
9. Toh Chee Neo (F)
10. Toh Beng Neo (F)
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Toh.

Dato' Toh Ah Boon (simplified Chinese: 卓亚文; traditional Chinese: 卓亞文; pinyin: Zhuō Yà Wén; 1860 – 1 April 1932) was a Chinese community leader, and one of the biggest landlords in Johor Bahru of his time. He was born in Singapore but died in Johor Bahru's house in 90, Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru.[1] He was honored by Late Johor Sultan the SPMJ Dato and DPMJ Dato.[2]

He had seven sons and three daughters.

Early life

Toh was the son of Toh Kim Swee, who died when he was still a child. He lived with his uncle who have a provision shop on Arab Street, Singapore.

When he was 15 years old, he accompanied his uncle to Johor Bahru as his uncle started his business as a contractor. After his uncle died, he took over the business. Toh was successful in his business as he invested in the landed property and he also purchased a granite quarry at Pulau Nanas to supply granite to the Johor Government and the contractors of the public works in Singapore and Johor, which included the Mole in Singapore Harbour.

Toh Ah Boon also involved in tapioca and rubber planting at Gunung Pulai and Jalan Skudai area. He retired in 1915 and his business was taken over and managed by his sons Toh Gim Seng and Toh Ah Moh.

Contribution

The Dato' Toh Ah Boon's tomb

Toh Ah Boon contributed much in Johor Affairs especially in education. He donated $20,000 and founded the "Toh Ah Boon Scholarship Fund" to enable Malay and Chinese students born in Johor to continue their study at the College of Medicine or Raffles College.

When it was a proposal to extend the rifle range of Royal Johor Military Force (JMF), Dato Toh owned a land which next to it, was asked to sell the land, and he not only donated the land for the extension, but also donated $20,000 to provide the pavilion at the rifle range.

He also donated $10,000 to the Raffles College for the election in 1919. He also contributed much in the sport sector and donated a cup which bears his name to the Royal Johor Polo Cup.

He was honoured by the Sultan the DPMJ in 1925 and the SPMJ Dato in 1929. He was a member of the State Council and the Anti- Malaria Board for many years. He was also once Chairman of the Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Town Board.

Jalan Dato' Toh Ah Boon near to Tampoi, Johor Bahru is a road named after him.

Death

1 April 1932, Dato' Toh Ah Boon died in his Johor Bahru's residence, and his tomb is still stands in Johor Bahru Chinese Cemetery up to today.

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
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