Tang Choon Keng
Singaporean businessman
Tang Choon Keng (Chinese: 董俊竞; pinyin: Dǒng Jùnjìng; 12 September 1901 – 3 September 2000), colloquially known as CK Tang, was a Singaporean entrepreneur, who founded the Tangs department store in Singapore. Tang established Orchard Road as a premier retail district in Singapore.2
From Wikipedia’s article on Tang Choon Keng (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Born Sep 12, 1901, died Sep 3, 2000.1
Companies
Early life and education
A Teochew, Tang was born in early 20th century Shantou, China to a Presbyterian pastor. He emigrated to the British colony of Singapore in 1923.
In Singapore, Tang peddled hand-made Swatow lace, embroidery and linen products. With a rented rickshaw, Tang carried his goods in a pair of tin trunks, which he kept long afterwards. Tang later became known as the "Tin Trunk Man" and the "Curio King" for his rags to riches story.
From Wikipedia’s article on Tang Choon Keng (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Career
Occupation: entrepreneur, pastor.4
Personal life
Besides CK Tang, Tang Choon Keng was also known as Tang Un Tien.
In 1960, Tang was kidnapped by four armed thugs, but was freed unharmed within 84 hours after the family reportedly paid S$150,000 in ransom.
Tang's first wife died in 1980; he subsequently remarried. Tang had eight children. On 3 September 2000, Tang died peacefully at home with his family around him at 99 years old.
From Wikipedia’s article on Tang Choon Keng (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Links
Sources
The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.
- 1WikidataTang Choon Keng on Wikidata
- 2WikipediaTang Choon Keng on Wikipedia
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- 8WikidataTangs, Founder