The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-06-15
JAS, |. DOWSETT
Citizen Passes to Great Beyond
at Advanced AGE.
WAS 4 NATIVE OF HONOLULU
Had a Most Interesting Career.
Confidant of MonarCh-SuCCess
full in Business-Funera
WAS 4 NATIVE OF HONOLULU

JAMES ISAAC DOWSETT, one Of
the best known citizens of Hawaii nei
and a man all his life held in high es-
TEEN by his fellow men, died last even
ing. The end came at the Queens
Hospital at 1925 p. N. Quickly the
news was telephoned over town and
expressions of regret and coincidence
and proffers of assistance came to the
family by the hundreds.
Mr.. Dowsett was 68 years Of age on
the 18th day of last December, having
been born in the year 1929. He has
always been strong and healthy up to
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. 1t 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 a 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 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 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
named 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 fluttered and finally went out.
Mr.. Dowsett died with those about
him to whom he was devoted and
dear. An eventful and in many re-
sDects a 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 1. 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. it is the 2-stOry 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 a boats crew and all
were murdered by the natives. The
eIQeG sister OF James L. DOWSECL cto
the first wife Of Capt. Rowland, q 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
Mr.. DOwsett seven daughters |
and four sons. Two sons have preceded |
their father to the grave. There are
d number of grandchildren.
By the death of James 1. DOwset-, |
a blank is left in the community. He
did not care for public Office. Had
he yearned for political prefarmens
any office was at his disposal fer 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 mOnaTchs 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 |
of the common people. He |
was a great favcrite with the native |
Hawaiians and spoke their language |
beautifully. Mr.. DOwsett was quiet !
in the conduct Of business, but was |