The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-07-06
Death of Associate Justice Austin

Honorable Benjamin H. Austin, Second
the Hawaiian Islands, expired at his resi-
dence in Nuuanu Valley, in this city, yester-
day morning, at half-past s o'clock.
The deceased was a native of Saratoga
Springs, State of New York, and was aged
So years at the time Of his death. He lived
in Buffalo, n. Y, from his fifth year to the
time Of his departure for these islands in
1876. He was a graduate of the law school
al Poughkeepsie, New York, and was admit
ted TO the bar at the age of twenty-one. He
practiced law with his father in Buffalo, the
firm being known as Austin & Son. After
wards, upon the death Of his father, the de-
ceased was in partnership with Mr.. Hick-
man, a well-known lawyer in Buffalo. Judge
Austin was in former years very energetic
and athletic man, but he was seized with
acute rheumatism several years ago. This
affection became chronic, and made him an
invalid for the remainder of his life.
He first came to Honolulu for the sake of
his health in 1876, and commenced the prac-
tice of law. His health was much improved
by his residence here, and in 1879 he made
visit TO the United States. The climate Of
Buffalo was too harsh for him, however, and
he returned to these Islands after brief
stay in the States. Upon the re-organiza-
ton of the Supreme Court, after the death
Of Judge Harris in 1880, he was appointed
one of the Judges OF the Supreme Court,
his commission being dated November 7th
of that year. The deceased was an invalid
during his incumbency on the bench, but
was a remarkable example Of Christian for
titude and resignation. He bore his pains
and weaknesses without a murmur, and was
always Solicitous that the loving hands and
hearts about him should be as little bur
dened with care for him as possible. At the
time of his death he was residing with his
family in his beautiful home in Nuuanu
Valley. His end was very peaceful, and he
was conscious to the last moment.
The deceased leaves widow and two
children to mourn his death. OF the chill
dren, the eldest, Miss Marian, is at Vassar
College, in the United States; the other, his
son George, ten years of age, is at home
with his mother. His brother, Jonathan
Austin, was also by his side when he expired;
his other brother, Stafford L. Austin, re-
sides at Onomea Hawaii. The only sister
of the deceased, Mrs. George W. Townsend,
resides in Buffalo, and to her the sad intel
ligence of her brothers death was sent by
the Australia yesterday.
The deceased was a man of much natural
ability, and was always a great student. In
the responsible and diSnifed position that
he occupied as one of the Justices of the
highest Court in the Kingdom, his opinions
were always carefully considered and his
decisions just and impartial. 1t is a strik-
ing proof of his unwearied attention to his
duties, that he does not leave a single case
undecided of the many that have been laid
before him. His work, as the presiding
Justice over the late term of the Supreme
Court, was finished, and his labors were &C
complished in spite of failing health and
great physical suffering.
Upon the news of his death be-. COM
municate ted to the King, His Majesty, accom-
panied by Colonel Iaukea, of his staff,
called to express to the family his sorrow
for the loss they had sustained, and his ap-
probation of the faithful services of the de-
ceased in the high station he occupied in the
service of the State.
The funeral will take place from the late
residence of the deceased at 4 o'clock. The
programme for the funeral appears else
where in our paper.