The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-12-11

their entire interest. After several
years Of hard work this enterprise was
abandoned "a Improbable, aud Mr..
Bickerton was fortunate in getting
out of IL even with the world, as il has
since been found that the land and
locality were only suited TO rice
growing, To which il is now devoted.
Although he then looked upon the
wears thus spent a. 30 much time lost
the experience which he acquired has
since stood him in good stead, and has
been Of inestimable benefit TO him III
his extensive operations In sugar
plantations.
During Mr.. BickertOn's early life he
had most decided prediction for
the study Of law, and even up TO the
close of his unsuccessful operations IN
sugar planting he had never aban
dOned the idea Of eventually adopting
the legal profession a. his future call
ing, ami had devoted his spare time to
reading books on law with that object
in view. Coming TO Honolulu in 1872
he entered the office OF w 6. Jones,
in accordance with the law which re-
quired that any applicant for admls-
sion to the bar should have studied in
the office OF a practicing attorney for
at least one year. During this time
Mr.. BickertOn applied himself studl-
ously, and in addition to his law read
ing ne did considerable business in
the way of conveyancing and other
real estate work.
In 1875 he applied for admission to
the bar, which, after he had passed
the examination, was. granted him,
and he at once opened an Office Of his
own. He was not long in building up
a thriving business, which continued
TO grow until il assumed extensive
proportions. In 1882 he was appoint
ed Police Judge, which office ne filled,
in addition to his practice before the
Supreme Court, for about four years,
and is conceded to have been one of
the most efficient Police Judges who
has ever filled that office in Honolulu.
In December, 1885, he was appointed
to the Supreme Bench as Third AssO-
ciate Justice, and four years later,
upon the death of Mr.. Justice Edward
Preston, Hon K. +. =. BickertOn was
promoted to be Second Associate Jus
tice. This gentleman has been several
times offered the Attorney General
ship, which honor he has each time
respectfully declined. In 1878 he held
a seat in the Legislature, To- which he
was elected as representative from
Hamakua, Hawaii.
Upon the accession of Queen Liliuo-
kalani to the throne, Justice Bicker-
ton was appointed a member of the
Privy Council of State. In 1871 this
gentleman married Miss a. Hughes,
who died four years later. In 1878 he
espOused Miss Frances L. Spencer, a
lady of Australian nativity, who, with
her parents, was shipwrecked off the
island of Oahu when she was an in
FAINT. Their family consists of four
children, three of whom were by
Judge BickertOn's first wife. The boys
are now at Washington College, Ia
coma, of which this gentleman has
the highest opinion, having, after per
sOnal investigation, selected il for the
education of his children. His married
daughter, a young lady of eighteen, is
also living in Tacoma.
As a Judge and Jurist, Hon. r. +. |
Bickerton has been even more sue |
cessful than as an attorney. His de- !
cisiOns were made with great care, /
and after scrupulOus consideration in |
the cause of justice and right. In |
business matters Judge BickertOn was
q man of shTewdness and sagacity, of /
which numerous transactions that |
have added to his fortune give ample
evidence, while his private life was
that of a gentleman of culture and
refinement.