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Lung On was born in 1863 and was well-educated and fluent in both English and Chinese. After coming here, Lung On partnered with Yeo Nem and Hay Ak in 1888 purchasing Kam Wah Chung in John Day. Lung On also was involved in numerous other businesses as owner or co-owner, owned land and mining claims throughout Oregon and Washington, owned rental properties, owned racehorses, and was an astute gambler. Lung On also started the first automobile dealership called Tourist Garage in Eastern Oregon in John Day, where his employees were EuroAmerican.
He served as interpreter and translator, scribe, and business mentor for Chinese Americans in John Day. He ran the business side of Kam Wah Chung, so he was also charging fees for all of his services, including writing letters home for other Chinese Americans. He was noted for his conviviality, his knowledge, and his love of games of chance, including horseracing.
Lung On estate was valued near $90,000 in 1940 (over $1.6 million today), and proceeds were divided between Ing Hay and Lung On’s wife and daughter, who had remained in China, though his family was never able to recover their share of the estate.


