The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-05-29
HON. j. s. WALKER DEAD.
HE SUCCUMBS TO DISEASE
THIS MORNING.
Sketch of a Useful and Honorable Life
Largely Spent on the Hawaiian
Islands.


Mr.. Walker has been i'll for some
months and several times a fatal termin-
alton has been feared Mrs f. Paxton
Bishop his daughter had been sent for
from San Francisco and is expected on
the next steamer.
Mr., Walker came to this country in
search of health nearly thirty eight
years ago, and had not only found and
long enjoyed what he sought in this
genial cline, but had also accumulated
an enviable share of this worlds goods,
had become one of the foremost men
of the nation and had filled nearly all
of the most important civil and polit-
ical offices under the Government The
following outline, therefore, of this gen
teman's active career will be of in.
terest:
John Smith Walker was a native Of
Scotland, where, at Aberdeen, in the
year 1926, he first saw the light of day.
There he received a good education,
and being of too ambitious a tempera-
ment to spend his life quietly amid the
slow going customs of the old country,
he set sail for America at the age of
seventeen, and landed in Quebec,
Canada, in 1912, with a liberal endOw
ment of brains, energy and enterprise
as his principal capital From Canada
Mr.. Walker proceeded to Wisconsin,
where in company with Mr.. John
Center now Of San Francisco, he be-
gan prospecting and lead mining, which
occupation he followed with varied
success, in one way and another, and
both in Wisconsin and at Gdlena, ILL.,,
for the ensuing nine years. In 1851
Mr. Walker, together with party from
Wisconsin, began the arduous and dan.
gerous trip across the plains, via St
Joseph, Mo, to the gold fields of the
new FL Dorado, where they arrived in
August of that year. After a short stay
in Sacramento, the subject Of this sketch
proceeded, in 1852, to Marysvile,
where he engaged in the merchandise
business, which he continued success
fully uutil 1854. During the hardships
and privations of the trip across the
continent, Mr.. Walker had contracted
the mountain fever from which he con
tinued at intervals to suffer during his
entire stay in California, the climate Of
Marysvlle being rather productive OF
Chills and fever than otherwise. He
was, for this reason, advised by friends
and business aCquaintanCes in San
Francisco who were engaged in the
Hawaiian trade, to make a trip to the
Sandwich Islands for his health, which
he did, arriving here on the 18th OF
November, 1854.
Ills intentions were to remain for a
few months only; but as with many
others who came to the Paradise Oh
the Pacific with similar intentions, he
made it his home. His ailment was
somewhat deep seated, and did not
succumb to the notwithstanding in.
fuences of this climate as readily as
he had expected, and it was not long
before he became well acquainted with
the business people of Honolulu, and
so favorably impressed with the coun,
try, that he was not anxious to return
During the first few months of his
stay here, he was offered, and accepted
a temporary position as bookkeeper
with the firm of Hackfeld & Co.,
which he held for nearly a year, He
then entered the employ in a like
capacity OF Thos Spencer, where he
remained some months, and then
spent another term of about year in
Hacfeld & Co.'S employ, finally be
coming re-engaged to Thos Spencer
and remained with him until 1861
when that business were closed out
His next departure was on his owr
account, in the shipping and import
ing business, and as agent for and par
owner in different whaling and mer
chant ships, This was the beginnn,
for Mr.. Walker of a long and aCtiv,
mercantile career He was afterward
member of several firms of promin
ence, and devoted his entire attention
to commercial afflirs until 1874 wher
he was appointed Minister of Financ,
in kalakaua's Cabinet. This office h,
held until 1876, when he and Col. Z
S, Spaulding became members of tn,
firm of W. G.. Irwin &. Co., which wa
established that year, and which part
nership continued until 1850 1t wa
then dissolved, w. G., Irwin becomn,
associated with Claus SpreckeIs, an,
Mr.. Walker being again appointed t,
the Kings Cabinet as Minister {
Finance and as Attorney General a,
interim.
During his four years iucumbenc
which followed, much responsible
rested with the subject of his sketch
For part of the time he actually bel
two of the portfolios, and hence ma
almost be said to have handled tn
reins of government during that perioC
In 1886 Mr. Walker was appointe
Auditor General by the King and tn
Privy Council, which was an office (
life tenure; but, not considering him
self justified in sacrificing his entir
time for salary, he resigned on JAM
AIRY l, 1857. Since that time, NJ
Walker refused to accept any polite,