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JAMES WILLIAM ROBERTSON -
1852-1919 born and died in Honolulu, Hawaii, son of James Morison
Robertson of Huntly, Scotland.
At the age of 15 James set out from the Hawaiian Islands for New
Brunswick, Canada, via San Francisco, the Isthmus of Panama, and New
York. On arrival in St. Johns, New Brunswick, he entered the insurance
office of his uncle, Alexander Robertson, as clerk.
After four years abroad, working his way on
ships from New Brunswick to Liverpool, New York, Florida, Argentina, and
Chile, he returned to Hawaii in 1871 to work for A.S. Cleghorn & Co.
In 1876 he married the beautiful and gracious Rose Cleghorn, part-Hawaiian
daughter of Governor Archibald S. Cleghorn (born in Edinburgh, Scotland),
his employer. They had two sons and five daughters.
He had a partnership in a stationery business and in 1882 started
Honolulu's first daily newspaper, "The Daily Bulletin," forerunner of
today's "Honolulu Star-Bulletin."
He was prominent in the social life of the Hawaiian monarchy and a
distinguished figure in the Royal Court. He served as vice-chamberlain to
King Kalakaua, and on the latter's death he was commissioned chamberlain
by Queen Liliuokalani. He was a member of the Privy Council and remained
a loyal friend to the Queen thoughout her reign. During the monarchy he
was the recipient of many decorations. His courtly manner and jovial
disposition attracted a host of friends who addressed him as "Commodore."
In 1895 he entered the firm of C. Brewer and
Co., where he became manager of the shipping dept. and remained there
until his death in 1919. His seven children have all lived in Hawaii.
Thanks to
Sandra DiNanni for this information |
