In 1850, Mr. Ho Kim Pan of China came to Pinang. His wife gave birth to a son, Ho Tiang Wan. Mr Ho Tiang Wan started his life as a super-cargo on a native vessel trading between Pinang and Singapore, and afterwards engaged in tin buying in Singapore in partnership with Mr. Ong Tim. Returning to Pinang in 1880, he opened a native drug and medicine store under the style of Lo Chong Ann & Co., at 81, Beach Street, Pinang, and commenced dealing on a large scale in Achin pepper. He took the Grambing sub-farm and many other farms in the Federated States, and became a partner in the Pinang opium and spirit farm. He was the managing farmer of the general opium and gabbling farm at Satool, Sungei Upay, and Perlis in the Siamese Malay States, and was still interested in the pepper trade in Satool, where he had a branch business. In 1871, he married Quah Keat Sim Neoh, daughter of Mr. Quah Eng, of Pinang. He has two sons and three daughters.
The elder son , Mr. Ho Kim Teik, was manager of all his business, and a partner in the firm of Messrs Chow Kit & Co., of Kuala Lumpor. He is a keen sportman, taking an especial interest in horseracing. Among hi sbest-known horses are Palawan, Lady Kiss, Albion II., and Lynwood. He is a member of al the Strait racing and turf clubs, as well as of the Chinese Recreation Club and Cycling Club. Mr. Ho Kim Teik was educated in England. Mr. Ho Tiang Wan’s town house is at 76, Love Lane, and his country residence was Pretoria Hall, 376, Burma Road.
The Museum tells their story.
About 60 years later, Ho Kim Teik, started the business of operating for the sale, hire and repair of every description of motor-car and cycle in Georgwtown, Penang. The company was the Georgetown Motor Garage. Together with his son, Mr. Ho Ghee Hean and other skilled mechanics – he contributed to the growth of the Georgetown during the British colony. The museum tells this story too.
The Georgetown Garage Of all the means invented by the ingenuity of man to facilitate rapid transit, none has proved more successful or more popular than the motor-car. A few years ago, when the invention was in its infancy, its used was confined to the chief European cities, but in 1913 it was to be found in the remotest partes of the earth.
In the Malay States, for instance, it is not so long ago that the most rapid means of getting from one place to another was by a jolting bullock-cart, but with the great wave of prosperity which has spread over that beautiful land there have come splendid roads, opening up possibilities of motor-travel excelled by few other places on the face of the earth. The motor-car has, indeed, become indispensable to the business man, and the numerous garages that have been opened in Malaya testify to the ever-increasing use of the car in that country. One of the chief-concerns operating for the sale, hire and repair of every description of motor-car and cycle is the Georgetown Motor Garage of Penang, one among many businesses that owes its origin to Chinese enterprise. The garage was established in 1903 by Mr. Ho Kim Teik, and it has on hands cars of world famous make, such as Page, Empire, Austin and Stoneleigh and Mitchell.
There is always a large number of cars on hire at reasonable rates, while the repair department is equipped with the most modern plant and staffed with skilled mechanics. The stock of accessories is valued at over $30,000.00 and everything needful for a car can be supplied at a moment’s notice. Being situated in Penang Road, the garage is within easy access of the European and Oriental and other leading hotels. A large saff of chauffeurs guaranteed quick service.
The proprietor of this flourishing concern, Mr, Ho Kim Teik, is the son of a merchant, Mr. Ho Tiang Wan, and was born in 1887. He gained his commercial experience in the office of a mercantile firm. Besides the garage, he has interests in revenue farming, tin mines, and rubber estates.
He owes in Kedah the important Karangan Rubbe Estate, which he employs over 200 men. He is, moreover, a partner in the important firm of Chow Kit & Co, as well as in several minor concerns. Inspite of his many business responsibilities, Mr. Ho still finds time for outdoor sport, tennis being his favourite recreation, and he is well known among his friends as an excellent exponent of the game.
Between the first generation and the third, the Ho Families set an extraordinary and enduring example of Chinese who migrated from China to Malaya for a better life.
As Georgetown continues to change, and remains a vital and beautiful place, so too the Museum tells the changing story of Georgetown and its people. In so doing it sets the scene for a visit the Georgetown, where you can still see where it all started.
