Background and early career Born in 1816 in Batavia into a
Peranakan Chinese family, the names of Tan Tjoen Tiat's antecedents have been lost to posterity. His wife, Oey Tan Nio, is nonetheless recorded as the daughter of Kapitein Oey Eng Liok (appointed to his position in 1838), thus linking the future Majoor by marriage to the
Cabang Atas aristocracy of colonial Indonesia. Their task was to determine whether a woman, as a widow or a mother, may act as a guardian for minors under Chinese law. All three answered in the negative, with von Faber assigning the responsibility of custodianship to the
Boedelkamer, or Estate Chamber; and the two Chinese officers, to a respected male relative of the minors. Tan served in office until 1879, when he asked for, and was granted by the colonial government, an honourable discharge from his position. Allowed nonetheless to retain his mayoralty on an honorary, titular basis, the former second Majoor died a year after his resignation in 1880, and was buried at his family mausoleum in Gaboes. His son,
Luitenant-titulair der Chinezen Tan Keng Soei, was married to a niece of Kapitein Ko Se Tjoan and Kapitein Ko Tjoen Kiat. His daughter, Tan Im Nio, was married to Luitenant Souw Siauw Keng, son of
Luitenant Souw Tian Pie. Another daughter married Luitenant-titulair Oey Tiang Lam, son of Oey Ing Soan, Kapitein der Chinezen of
Tegal in
Central Java. ==References==