[6] Tio's mother was also a first cousin of Lie Tjoe Hong, the third Majoor der Chinezen of Batavia (in office from 1879 until 1896).

[6] As a privileged member of the colonial establishment, he was able to attend the elite Europeesche Lagere School, commencing in 1884, which gave him a Dutch-language education.

[12] In 1927, Tio's department store celebrated its 25th anniversary; the popular newspaper Nieuws van den Dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië declares:[13] "The firm was the first to have a large modern retail space, a pleasant change from shophouses and market sheds; its opening was an event in the history of the capital.

[15] His record producing focused on discs of popular Malay-language songs, including kroncong and stambul music.

[11] In 1929, Tio got in touch with the songwriter W. R. Supratman, who wrote both the lyrics and melody of the future national anthem of Indonesia, 'Indonesia Raya'.

[4] Tio's businesses declined in the 1930s due to the Great Depression; and in 1934, the firm vacated its premises for a smaller venue.

[18] A keen hunter, Tio was also a founding board member and honorary secretary and treasurer of the Nederlandsch-Indisch Jagersgenootschap [Netherlands Indies Hunting Association], which was established on June 21, 1931.