Transformation of family

     After Treaty of Shimonoseki, many guild businessmen of Lukang withdrew to Mainland China. The businessmen in Lukang reduced significantly and the business activities were in depression. Descendants of Family Chen did not move to China. Huai-cheng Chen and Chih-fen Chen undertook the wealth from the era of guild businessmen and official post in politics. They continued the influence of Ching Chang Company in Lukang, participated in societies of the literati and promoted traditional culture.

I. Huai-cheng Chen

     Courtesy name of Huai-cheng Chen (1877-1940) was Huai-ting. He was the grandson of Ko-chuan Chen and the son of Tsung-hua and the seventh son of Ko-chuan. He mastered temperament and studied classics, poetry, verse, calligraphy and painting. In Year 35 of Meiji (1902), Huai-cheng and gentry poetry society friends in Taichung established “Li Poetry Society” to enjoy instrument and poetry. He was recommended as the exceptional one in the society. He was also the main member in Lu Wan Poetry Society, Lujiang Poetry Society and Da Ye Poetry Society and was called “national poet”. In September 1919, after Zhuang Shi-zhe, he was designated as district chief of Lukang. In October 1920, he undertook the post as street chief of Lukang. Soon, he took up the position as member in association of Taichung City and hosted the administration for 12 years with remarkable results. He not only protected Sinology, proofread the writing, solved the problems of vagrants and modified the customs of wedding and funeral, but also constructed public hall by raising funds of more than 200,000 dollars, founded schools, constructed industrial roads and established “city planning”. He was completely devoted to local construction.

II. Chih-fen Chen

     Courtesy name of Chih-fen Chen (1873-1926) was Shih-yun. He was great grandson of Ko-chuan Chen, son of Chi Chen and nephews of Huai-cheng Chen. However, he was older than Huai-cheng Chen. He had been district chief of Hsu Cu District in Lukang and continued in the office for 18 years. He pursued public affairs diligently. Besides the political affairs, he often participated in artistic activities. In comparison to enthusiasm of Huai-cheng Chen, Chih-fen Chen’s was reserved and he was not appeared in poetry society of Lukang and only shown in the photo. In addition, in Li Poetry Society, Chih-fen Chen appeared in the meeting of the members as “a guest”.

III. Pei-xu Chen

     Descendants of Ko-chuan Chen are relatively influential in Lukang. The influence continues even after the war. The eldest son of Huai-cheng Chen, Pei-xu Chen, preserved reputation and influence of Ching Chang by political development. He has been secretary of mayor and held the dismantling of the Roofed Street. After Taiwan Restoration, recommended by town council of Lukang township, he was elected as the second town mayor in Lukang. In 1951, it held democratic election of town mayor and he was the first democratically elected town mayor of Lukang. In 1954, he continued being the second democratically elected town mayor of Lukang. In three rounds of post as town mayor in Lukang for eight years, his administration was stable and was fully trusted by the residents.

( Source of text: Research on Shi-yi Building, historical building of Lukang and
History of Shi-yi Building and Yi Building and Town History of Lukang: Figures )