The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-02-08

upon the affairs OF their countries. and
whose work Will live after them. IN
enduring monument of their ability
and genius. Such 4 man is Hermann
y. Widemann, OF Honolulu, whose
name is inseparably connected with
the development and history OF the
Hawaiian Islands. Since his advent
into the Kingdom, nearly half a cen
fury ago. he has witnessed the growth
OF the nation from comparative insis
n!ficance TO its present prosperous con
dition. and has made his influence fel;
and acknowledged in governmental ana
geeral affairs. y man of broad views.
he has ever been Il pronounced advo-
cate of those measures when he has
considered for the good of his adopted
country, and has opposed all move
ments which his judgment told him
were not so. Although now approach
ing the biblical three score years AMI
ten Mr.. Widemann still retains the
strong mind and good judgment which
have ever been his distinguishing char
acteriStics. Arriving in Honolulu =
mere youth of twenty or Whereabouts.
without money or friends. he has Ne
quired the inestimable blessing OF a
good name. and by perseverance AMI
ability has acquired a desirable Compg-
tence; so that now As old age comes on
ne is free from the cares which he=s.
the paths of less capable or less Cor
tUnate men.
Fl. \. Widemann was born in Han
over. in 1922. He comes Of = military
family, his father having seen service
during the Napoleonic era OF 1Si2-ij.
in Russia and in France. Young Wide
mann, besides receiving thorough
general training. was especially stu-
Gated TO follow the profession ~ MS
| father; and while still preparing Tor
| the army and waiting fgE an appoint
menJ, discovered that his chances .Ir
! promotion were very slight. He saw
shat his classmates We're given COM
missions Simply because their sJcs 40
standing was higher than his own. To
| q Young man of his ambition this Uu-
| lust discrimination was iutolgTah.e
| and Re therefore looked about him for
! some more promising occupation than
that of arms. Too restless Tor the slow
life of mercantile pursuits upon the
continent, he adopted for a time a sea-
ifaring life. although even that was not
10 his liking. and in 1910 entered he
merchant service dS q cabin boy.
After serving in the Baltic and NFdi-
teTTaneln for TWO years. he engaged
on whaler bound for the Suu.d Seas.
During this voyage. in 1913. ne first
landed in HOnoluiu-Jhe scene OF L.s
future successful and honorable career.
He remained with his vessel during q
cruise TO the Arctic. and returning Co
Honolulu in 1874. he next went 90
Europe. and studied navigation. In
1916 he again came 10 Honolulu. and
seeing the great future before the Hd-
waiian group. decided here % make mis-
home. Honolulu was at that tine the
lheadGuartrrS of the whaling fleet.
which. with the exception OF an lseL-
sionai man-Of-war. were about the rn'y
European vessels coming here. and
was also the principal supply point for
California in vegetables and o,hsy pro-
ducts.
Mr.. WideaIdnn's first occupation iu
! his nn~ home was As private tutor au
o. English family. In November. ISIS.
he caught the California gold fever.
and at once proceeded thj,her. For ~
time he was employed in the Custom
House ut san Francisco. and then rg.sI
his fortune az mining. which. not prov
ing successful. and finding that life go
California was nos what Le -Nu#.."H.
he returned IN June. 1879. 90 Hawaii.
and has since remained, with the ,E-
csptiOn of an occasional visit abroad
on business or for pleasure.
Early entering into the politics c.|
The country. this gentleman has heidi
nearly all the important offices uuIr-
the government. His first position was
that of sheriff of the island OF Kauai
In 1874 he was appointed Minister OF |