The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-05-29
JOHN s. WALKER.
A Veteran Public Man Gone to His
Rest.

Hon. John S. Walker died at
o'clock this morning after long
and painful illness, at the age of
about 70 years. The funeral will
take place from his late residence,
Nuuanu avenue, at 2 o'clock, p. M,
tomorrow. Mr.. Walkers career has
been noteworthy as well as long.
His death removes one of the most
familiar figures from the public and
private life of the Hawaiian Islands.
Some of the leading particulars of
his career are given below. The de-
parted gentleman was universally
respected for his qualities of head
and heart and will be generally
lamented.
John Smith Walker was born in
Aberdeen, Scotland, July 10, 1920.
From this fact it goes without as
sertion that he received good edu-
cation. At the age of II he emf
grated to Canada, landing at Quebec,
from whence he proceeded to Wis
consin. Whilst there, he scored as
a member of the Wisconsin Legis-
lature in 1916 and 1S47. He
spent nine years prospecting in
the lead mines of that State and at
Galena, Illinois. Mr.. Walker cross
ed the plains to California in 1851,
and, after a short stay at Sacra-
mento, went to Marysville and took
up bookkeeping. The climate not
suiting him he took the advice of
friends to come to the Hawaiian ISL
| ,,l. T. arr,,,,l ~ I~~~1,,1,,
the 18th of November, 1854, being
fellow passenger on the same vessel
with the late Father Hermann who
died Bishop of Olba, and Father Leo
nor and Mr.. Geo. Galbraith. 1t took
some time for his health to come up
to tolerable standard even in this
climate, and in the meantime he got
acquainted with business people and
became attached to the country. His
first employment here was as book
keeper with H. Hackfeld Il Co., and
next in the same capacity with Thos.
Spencer. Between both firms, back
and forth, he put in his time until 1861,
when Mr.. Walker started business
for himself as an importer and ship
broker. In 1874 he became Minister
of Finance in King Kalakaua's Cabi-
net, and on leaving the Ministry in
1876 he entered the firm of W. G..
Irwin & Co.,. remaining as one of
the partners until 1880, when he
again became Minister of Finance as
we'll as Attorney-G enerel ad interim.
This time he held ministerial office
two years, and was afterward APP
pointed Auditor General. Mr..
Walker was member of the House
of Mobiles under the old Constitu-
ton, when the position Was given by
the Crown for life. Mobiles being
made elective by the Constitution of
1887, Mr.. Walker was elected for the
six-year term in 1890. He was Presi-
dent of the Legislature for the ses-
sions of 1886, 1890 and 1892, in which
position he evinced a thorough
knowledge of parliamentary prac-
tice and the strictest impartiality,
Mr.. Walker was member of the
Privy Council of State from the &C
cession of Kalakaua to the deposi-
ton of Liliuokalani, and held posi-
tions on the various Boards subordi-
nate to the Observation-Disclosures,
ton, Health, immigration. Mr.
Walker was regarded as the head OF
the National Reform party from its
organization in the election cam,
paign of 1890. His counsel was al,
. ways sought in important public
matters by his political associates
For many years past Mr.. Walkers
private business has been that of an
insurance agent, representing seyera
strong British companies. He also
did considerable in the ship broker
line.
In 1866 Mr.. Walker married Miss
'! Jane Mcintyre, sister of Mr.. H. E
Mcintyre and born in Honolulu
whom he leaves with family of five
sons and five daughters. His eldest
son named after him has been con
, Quoting the business of the Office
, since the fathers health broke dowr
shortly after the close of last Legis
lature. Mr.. Walker had to absen
: himself from the Presidents chat
different times in the latter part o
the session owing to illness. One o
the daughters of the lamented gen
tleman is the wife of Mr.. +. Faxol
Bishop, of the firm of G. Brewer 4
: Co.
Mr.. Walker was a member O.
Lodge le Progress de POceanie, A
f. d A. M. He wore several Hawai-
9 ian and Japanese decorations.