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In 1844 , Gan Eng Seng was born to his parents in Melaka , Straits Settlements. He was of Hokkien Chinese Descent and the eldest son of 5 children in his family with two elder sisters.

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When Gan Eng Seng was sixteen , his father Gang Tiang Tok passed on.

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After arriving in Singapore at the age of 16 , Gan Eng Seng was involved in a nutmeg business on a small scale.

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Gan Eng Seng's first marriage and the adoption of his first son. (1859)

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Gan Eng Seng's first marriage and the adoption of his first son. (1859)

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In 1859 , Gan Eng Seng married his first wife , Ho Chwee Neo who inherited Gan's house on 87 Amoy Street after he died. Gan Eng Seng's first son Gan Tiang Tok headed Gan’s company after his death. He also was on the Gan Eng Seng Free School Board of Trustees.

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Gan Eng Seng joining Alexander Guthrie's company. (1861)

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Gan Eng Seng joining Alexander Guthrie's company. (1861)

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Gan Eng Seng joined Guthrie and Company as an apprentice in 1861 , a job offered by Thomas Scott a partner of Guthrie , and rose through the ranks from assistant storekeeper to chief storekeeper and finally, the company's chief comprador a position he held for 25 years.

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The opening of Anglo-Chinese Free School (1885)

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The opening of Anglo-Chinese Free School (1885)

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In 1885, a school was opened in some shophouses in Telok Ayer Street by Mr Gan Eng Seng to offer free education to the children of poor parents in the vicinity , as he was not granted to much access to education when he was young , he believed that every child deserved an education.

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In 1889 , the government gave Anglo-Chinese Free School a new site at Telok Ayer Street , with the construction being funded by Gan Eng Seng himself.

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Gan Eng Seng's donation to Tan Tock Seng hospital (1892)

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Gan Eng Seng's donation to Tan Tock Seng hospital (1892)

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In 1892 , Gan Eng Seng made a generous donation of a freehold property at Rochor to Tan Tock Seng hospital.

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Gan Eng Seng's passing (9 September 1899)

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Gan Eng Seng's passing (9 September 1899)

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On 9 September 1899 , Gan Eng Seng sadly passed away from Sepsis. The Sepsis was caused by a prick by a piece of iron on his thumb.

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Renaming of Anglo-Chinese Free School (1923)

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Renaming of Anglo-Chinese Free School (1923)

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In 1923 , Anglo-Chinese Free School was renamed to Gan Eng Seng School in his honor.