The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-02-10

upon the affairs Of their countries, and
wiOse work will live after them. an
enduring monument Of their ability
snd genius. Such a man Is Hermann
A. Widemann. Of Honolulu, whose
name IL inseparably connected With
the development and history OF the
Hawaiian Islands. Since his advent
into the Kingdom, nearly half cen
aury ago, he has witnessed the growth
Of the nation FROM comparative insig-
ui6cance 90 It's present prosperous con-
dition. and has made his influence felt
md acknowledged In governments! anI
Eeeral Affairs 4 man Of broad yiewE,
be has ever been a pronounced adyO-
cate Of those measures which he has
considered for the good Of his adOp ell
country, and has opposed all mOTe-
ments which his Judgment told him
were not 80. Although now approach
snX the biblical three score years AMI
ten" Mr. Widemann still retains the
strong mind and good judgment which
have ever been bis distinguishing char
sGUristics. Arriving ia Honolulu a
mere youth Of twenty or Whereabouts,
without money or friends. he has lc-
auired the ineStimable blessing OF a
good name, and by perseverance and
ability has acquired "A desirable compe-
tence; 80 that no. as old age comes on
be is free from the cares which besa!
the paths Of less capable or less .Or-
t,inate men.
IL. a. Widemann was born In Han
over, In 1922. He comes OF military
family, his father having seen service
during the NapOleonic era Of lsl2-lJ,
In Russia and In France. Young Wide
mann, besides receiving thorough
general training, was especially cdu-
GATED TO follow the profession OF his
father; and while still preparing for
the army and waiting for an appoint
upent, discovered that his chances iOT
promotion were very slight. lie saw
ihat his classmates were given com
missions simply because their soc! Al
standing Was higher than his own. TO
n young man OF his ambition this un-
just discrimination was intolerable.
and ne therefore looked about him for
some more promising occupation tn IN
that Of arms. Too restless for the slow
Lfe Of mercantile pursuits upon the
continent, he adopted for a time a Tel-
faring life, although even that was not
10 his liking, and In lSiO entered ths
merchant service as cabin boy
After serving In the Baltic and Medi'
lerranean for two years. ne engaged
an a whaler bound for the South Seas
During this voyage, in lsi3. he iirs
landed In HOnolulu-the scene Of hlt
future successful and honorable career
He remained with his vessel during .
cruise to the Arctic. and returning q
Honolulu In 1874, he next went e
Europe, and studied navigation. IL
1886 he again came 10 Honolulu, anC
seeing the great future before the Ha'
wailan group, decided here TO make his
home. Honolulu was at that time thA
headquarters OF the whaling fleet
which, with the exception OF an )cca
BiOnal man -of-war, were about the oni,
European vessels coming here; ant
was also the principal supply point 70
California In vegetables and other pro
ducts.
Mr.. Widemann's first occupation II
ais new home was as private tutor II
an English family. In November, 1915
he caught the California gold fever,
und at once proceeded thither. For
time he was employed In the Custom
ttonss at San Francisco, and then trie
his fortune at mining, which, not prov
sng successful, and finding that life /
California was not what he expected
me returned In June, lSi9. 20 Hawai-
and has since remained, with the sx
caption OF an occasional visit abroa
on business or for pleasure.
Early entering into the politics {
che country, this gentleman has hcl
nearly all the important Offices undo
the government. His first position wa
ahaf OF sheriff OF the island OF Kaua