By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Circa 1861 Dewitt Clinton Jansen moved down to Shanghai from Peking (where he worked for the China Maritime Customs)and it was he that purchased a small Boarding House called the Astor House which he completely rebuilt and turned into the most modern and luxurious hotel in Shanghai which prompted George Kennan to write of it (and a Mr.Dewitt Clinton Jansen) in the Atlantic Magazine; Mr. Kennan having stopped off at the hotel enroute to Russia where he was to take up his appointment as the United States Ambassador to Russia. Dewitt Clinton Jansen was a prominent figure on the Shanghai Municipal Council and was the first to propose the building of a Public School for the Chinese. He was much loved and respected for his charity in helping both the Chinese and other national in time of need and, on his death on 6th Nov 1894, was given a public funeral. His 5 daughters carried on his charitable work one of whom was decorated by the Polish Government for her efforts on behalf of Polish refugees. All 5 daughters returned to the United States after the death of their mother on 11th Nov. 1918. Dewitt Clinton Jansen, his wife Ellen Jansen are buried in Shanghai whilst their son who died aged 39 in 1916 is buried in Grave 292a in the British Municipal Cemetery, Tientsin.
Richard De Witt Jansen

By: The Ginger Griffin

The Ginger Griffin — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Richard – many thanks for this posting. I am a Shanghai based author with a special interest in its historic hotels and would like to know more about Mr Jansen. He was also a one time Curator of the Shanghai Museum established by the Royal Asiatic Society (North China Branch)

Comments on: The Classic Old Hotels of Shanghai

By: Anonymous

By: The Ginger Griffin