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Mini Biographies of Scots and Scots Descendants (R)
Robertson, James William


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


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