The sum of $50,000 is bequeathed by Silas Aaron Hardoon, the late Shanghai Jewish millionaire, for the translation into Chinese of the English text of the Hebrew Bible as published by the Jewish Publication Society of Philadelphia. This curious bequest became known today when Hardoon’s will was made public here.
Hardoon, who died here on June 19 at the age of 84, was generally believed to be the wealthiest foreigner in Shanghai. A native of Bagdad, he came to Shanghai fifty years ago when the city was a mere village. He was married to a Chinese woman and although he had no children of his own he had adopted ten boys and girls of various nationalities.
At the time of his death his fortune was popularly estimated at $25,000,000 in gold, most of it amassed in real estate transactions. Out of courtesy to his wife, who is a Bhuddist, he made provision that his funeral rites should be conducted according to the Bhuddist and Jewish religions.
Although he was one of the wealthiest men of the Orient he was practically unknown to the Jewish world until he died. Like most wealthy foreigners in China he feared being kidnaped and held for ransom by bandits who had often threatened him. To prevent these threats from being carried out he maintained an Irish bodyguard.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
