Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Hsu T'ang

Mr. Hsu Kwan-nan

徐棠字冠南

Mr. Hsu Kwan-nan, was born at Wucheng, Chekiang Province, in 1867. At the comparatively young age of 23, he succeeded in passing the second series of literary examinations, became a Chu Jen (Provincial Graduate), and was appointed a junior secretary of the Prime Minister. In 1898, he was given the post of Chief of the Shantung Section of the Board of Finance. It was while serving in this capacity in the capital that Mr. Hsu devoted his spare time in establishing the Huai Wen College in Peking, for which work the Imperial government bestowed upon him the honor of "Special Commendation by Edict” as a result of the recommendation made by the then Minister of Education, Sun Chia-nai. In 1903, Mr. Hsu was appointed Expectant Taotai of Kiangsı. In the following year, he was given the Brevet Second Rank for his contribution towards the repair of the Imperial West Garden. In 1905, the late Sheng Kung Pao, as Minister of Railways, took a great deal of interest in him and obtained the consent of the Peking Administration to have him direct the railway and mining section of his yamen. In the same year, the late Yuan Shih-k'ai recommended to the throne Mr. Hsu's immediate appointment as a Taotai of the most important circuit on account of the latter's record in securing funds for the famine relief work in Chihli Province. This was confirmed by an imperial edict. Following the inauguration of the Republic, Mr. Hsu devoted most of his time to philanthropic work in his home province and in Shanghai; and at the same time took an interest in industrial development of the country, being organizer of the Nantao Water Works of Shanghai, of which he is the managing director. The matter was brought to the attention of the president and in 1916, a commendatory tablet was awarded him by the president. For his work in raising funds for the International Famine Relief Work, the Third Class Chiaho was conferred on him in 1920. The next year saw Mr. Hsu acting as an advisor to the Ministry of Finance, being decorated with the Second Class Chiaho. In 1922, in recognition of his services in doing relief work for the Kansu earthquake, the government ordered his records to be filed with the Cabinet for an early appointment to an important post. Besides being a director of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai, Mr. Hsu is serving on the board of directors of many banks in Shanghai. Chekiang, Canton and Hongkong.