The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-03-14

navigate a vessel; and at fifteen, hav-
ing acquired in the Academy Of
Greenwich what was then considered
a first class education, young Spencer
followed in the footsteps of his father
and brothers, and was for some time
master of q schooner plying between
Greenwich, Nantucket and New
York. Previous to this time, his
brother, Thomas Spencer, had, dur
ing a voyage to the Sandwich Isl
lands, become impressed with the
attractions and prospects of this
country, and established himself here
in the shipchandlery business, and
was doing thriving trade with
whaling and other vessels.
In 1853, G. N. Spencer first came
to Honolulu and entered his brothers
employ as clerk. Here he remained
until 1860, when his brother Thomas
removed to Hilo, where he was sub
sequently appointed .. S. Consul,
and where he engaged in merchan-
dising. After remaining for time
in Hilo, Charles decided TO embark
in business for himself, and removed
to Kau, where he opened a general
merchandise store, and soon after
wards became also engaged in the
gathering and shipping Of pull to
San Francisco. The business thrived,
and Mr.. Spencer branched ont into
sugarcane growing and cattle raising.
In 1868, when on the high road to
fortune he met with a disastrous re-
verse through a series of volcanic
eruptions, which caused great devas-
tation.
His cane aud pull fields were de-
stroyed, as also his wharf and ware
house, which were heavily laden with
pull. Numbers of his cattle persisted.
With plans upset, and finances much
depleted, this gentleman came to
Honolulu, where, for two years, he
acted as Chief Engineer of the Fire
Department, leaving his pulu bust
ness at Kau in charge of his brother
in law.
In 1870 he went to Kau, and again
turned his attention to pnlu gather
ing, and subsequently started the
Hilea Sugar Plantation, in addition
to which ne acted for time as man
ager of the Hutchinson and the Ho-
nouapo plantations. In 1887, Mr..
Spencer sold his interests in HIlea,
and returned to Honolulu, where, by
request of the King, he became In
spector-General of Immigrants Al
though while at Kau Mr.. Spencer
had held several minor public offices,
this was the first important govern
ment position he had ever held, and,
in fact, the only one until he ac-
cepted the portfolio. Since 1853,
when he first came to the Sandwich
Islands, he had never been away
from them. He spoke the Hawaiian
language with fuency, was thor
oughly conversant with the natives
and their customs, and knew every
inch of the country. Mr.. Spencer
and his brother were on terms Of
social and political intimacy with the
last six Hawaiian sovereigns. Many
are the gorgeous bsnquets that in
years past the Spencers have given
in honor of the royal family, or the
distinguished representatives Of for
eign countries. Thomas Spencer
was, like the subject OF this sketch,
thoroughly American in sentiment,
and was a personal friend of Gen.
q. s. Grant. His funeral which took
place in June, 1885, was one of the
largest ever witnessed in Honolulu
excepting those Of royalty.
Mr.. @. n. Spencer, although an
ardent admirer of America, bis ma
live country, was in sympathy,
nevertheless, with Hawaii, the coun-
Try of his adoption. He strongly
1isapproved of the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands by the United
States, as a move that would seri-
Justly iDiure the interests Of the
former without beneitting the lat
ter. "But," he added, ''if we cannot
retain our autonomy, and if we must
be annexed, let it be to the United
States, by all means"
In 1862, Mr.. Spencer married Miss
Annie E., daughter of Capt. Robert
Brown, ofNew London, Conn. He
vas right royal entertainer, had an
agreeable and unaffected manner,
and a stranger forming his aequaint-
snce was at once made 90 feel at
Ease. Generous hearted and liberal
oy nature, Mr.. Spencer had a host Of
friends. He was in all things gen
lemsn