Biography

Hoo Ah Kay Whampoa, 1816 to 27 March 1880, Singapore, was a noted Chinese businessman who ran Whampoa & Co., and, with an mastery over English, became the first and only Chinese to hold a position as extraordinary member in the Legislative Council, that helps to make laws. He was also noted for entertaining dinners at his Whampoa home, renamed Bendemeer House and his fascinating Whampoa Gardens. He was born in Whampoa, Canton (Guangdong). He arrived in Singapore in 1830, a 15-year old ready to work for his father. His father had a shop at the corner of Bonham Street and Boat Quay which supplied the docking ships with daily food such as beef, bread and vegetables.

His fluent English was definitely a important asset in dealing with European merchants and he soon became one of the key businessmen of his time. He continued the business after his father died. His shop, Whampoa & Co. supplied provisions to the navy of the British after a period of time. He was well known for his bakery , his house, Whampoa Gardens and his warehouse, Whampoa ice house.


Whampoa's Ice House, built in 1854, was an attempt to meet the demand for ice in a tropical climate at a time when refrigeration did not exist. With his business partner, Gilbert Angus, Whampoa shipped blocks of ice packed in sawdust from the frozen lakes of New England. The enterprise failed as daily sales of 400 to 500 lbs (182 - 227 kg) were only half of what was needed to cover the high expenses of the ice venture.

As for his family, Whampoa had 3 sons: Hoo Ah Yip, Hoo Keng Choong and Hoo Keng Tuck. The eldest, Hoo Ah Yip studies overseas and managed Whampoa & Co. for short time before he died. Hoo Keng Choong, his second son, died young too while his youngest son, Hoo Keng Tuck finally took over the family business.