The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-06-17
WAS A NATIVE OF HONOLULU
Had a Most Interesting Career
Confidant OF Monarch-Success-
full in Business-Funeral.

night. The end came at the Queen
Hospital at 1925 p. m. Quickly tn
news was telephoned over town ant
expressions of regret and condolenc'
and proffers of assistance came to tn,
family by the hundreds.
Mr. Dowsett was 6S years of age OF
the 18th day of last December, having
been born in the year 1929. He has
always been strong and healthy up tc
a few weeks ago. When he had passed
the fiftieth mile post it was a common
saying when his age and physique were
mentioned that he would certainly
live to round out a full century of ex-
istence. It was willed differently and
he has departed at the time that was
to an individual of his vitality and
temperament but middle life.
ABOUT a month ago Mr. Dowsett
took to his bed at his home in Palama.
For few days he allied only slightly
Then his condition became more Sc
rious. Relatives were summoned from
the other Islands. The trouble was
not easily defined by the physicians.
There was nothing of a constitutional
nature, but rather the results of the
wearings of close attention to bust
ness. Mr.. Dowsett gradually became
weaker and less cognizant of what
was going on about him.
On Thursday of last week. the 9th
inst, five physicians held a consulta-
tion on the case. Mr.. Dowsett was
taken to the Queens Hospital the
next day and on the following day.
Saturday the 11th, while the royal
name he loved so well was upon the
lips and in the thoughts of so many
people throughout the group, an oper-
alton was performed. This was a
severe draft upon the strength and
was a serious and trying surgical ex-
pedient, though by no means the cause
of death. The spark of life dimmed
and futtered and finally went out.
Mr.. Dowsett died with those about
him to whom he was devoted and
dear. An eventful and in many re-
spects remarkable and extraordinary
career was closed. Mr.. Dowsett was
part of the life of Hawaii and his
life story is entwined with the life
stories Of scores of others.
James l. Dowsett was born in Ho-
nolulu. The house in which he first
saw the light of day and which was
built by his father, still stands and is
occupied. 1t is the 2-stCry building in
Union street, next to the old bell
tower fire station. The parents of
Mr.. DOwsett came to this country
from New South Wales, where they
were married at Sydney in 1925. The
mother was originally from England.
She died here July 4, 1860 The father
was sea captain. He lost his life
at the hands of sayages in the South
Seas. He went ashore from his whal-
ing vessel with boats crew and all
were murdered by the natives. The
elder sister of James l. Dowsett was
the first wife of Capt. Rowland, a sea
captain. The younger sister is Mrs.
NJ. C. Monsarrat of this city.
The wife of Mr.. Dowsett was the
beautiful Miss Annie Ragsdale. There
survive Mr.. Dowsett seven daughters
and four sons. Two sons have preceded |
Tbnir forbnr. n ha ~
a number of grandchildren.
By the death of James l. Dowsett, |
blank is left in the community. He |
did not care for public office Had |
he yeamed for political preferment
any Office was at his disposal for many |
years. He was appointed a Noble OF |
the Kingdom by Kamehameha III and |
was friend and confident of Kameha- |
meha " and V. His advice was often |
sought by the monarchs and was Civ |
en- as one entirely disinterested and |
he held the trust of those in the high |
est positions as well as the implicit |
confidence of the common people He !
was a great favorite with the native |
Hawaiians and spoke their language
beautifully. Mr.. Dowsett was quiet
in the conduct of business, but was
capable and successful as a man of
affairs. In the earliest days he soon
saw the opportunities for money max
ing in the whaling industry and was
a capitalist in that field. He still has
pending Alabama claims, showing that
when the fleet was young he was ac
tive as promoter and manager. He
had since reaching mans estate own
ed schOoners plying in Hawaiian
waters, had extensive land and stock
interests and owned the salt works
at Pearl Lochs. He owned an un-
divided one-half interest in the quar-
antine Island and reef property more
known as belonging partly
to the Sumner estate. Mr.. Dowsett
a large fortune. Up to the
very Cay he was compelled to take
to his bed he was at his Office in
Queen street, where he handled mer-
chandise and schooner business and
dealt in live stock. There were al
ways natives about the place The
called Mr.. Dowsett "Kimo !