The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-01-20
(From Saturdays Daily)


Paul Isenberg, Sr.. died at 8 o'clock
yesterday morning at his home in
Bremen, Germany. from an attack of
peritonitis following appendicitis, or
what is supposed to have been that
disease. He was in his Goth year.
News of his death came to his son,
Alexander Isenberg, at about II o'clock
yesterday morning, following within
few hours the announcement of his
serious condition. Mr.. Alexander Isen-
berg and Mrs. lsenberg left at s O'Clock
for Kauai, to carry the sad news to
their brother and sister, and other rela-
uves at Lihue.
In the death of the Hon Paul Isen-
berg, who since 1858 has been intimate
ly connected with the commercial life
of Hawaii the Territory loses a citizen
of highest character and the people one
of their staunchest friends. Ever since
his arrival, and subsequent interest in
local industries, he has shown in many
ways his devotion to the country of his
adoption, and, since he became a citizen
of Hawaii very soon after his arrival,
perforce being made an American citi-
zen by the organic act, he has devoted
himself to the advancement of the
varied interests of the Islands, and has
taken no small part in the industrial
and political affairs which have marked
the history of the country.
Mr.. Isenberg leaves to mourn his sud-
den death his widow and eight chill
dren. Mrs. Isenberg is now at the late
home of Mr.. lsenberg in Bremen, and
with her are five children, her son Alex
ander lsenberg, second vice. president
of the firm of II. Hackfeld & Co. being
the only absent one, he remaining here
to look after his fathers interests.
Senator ID. p. r. 1senberg and Mrs.
Hans Isenberg, of Lihue, Kauai, chill
dren by another marriage, completing
the family.
Paul Isenberg was born April Is, 1887,
at the small village of Dransfeld, in
Hanover. His father was a clergyman
of high education and his eldest son
was given every advantage, he select
ing course in agriculture which fit
ted him prominently for the career
which opened with his coming to the
Hawaiian Islands. Under engagement
with the firm of Hoffschaeger a. Stab
exhaust, which firm is now in existence
under nearly the same title, Mr.. lsen-
berg arrived in Honolulu in September,
1858, coming around the Horn in the
bark Harburg. He was at once sent
by the firm to take charge of a cat
tie and sheep ranch on the island OF
Kauai, and 1t was while there that he
became interested in sugar culture.
The Lihue plantation at that time
was producing something less than 200
| tons a year, under the management OF
| its principal owner, Mr.. Rice, who had
| come to the islands as one of the very
| first missionaries from Boston, and was
then in Ill health and was not pushing
the plantation. MIR. Isenberg married
! Miss Maria Rice, went into the employ
ment of the plantation as bookkeeper
and mastered every detail of the bust
ness. He was soon made manager OF
| the estate and within a short time had
acquired the controlling interest in It
He developed the property until II
produced nearly 10000 tons yearly and
has maintained his large interest In II
personally. with his prosperity ht
made other investments which resulted
| favorably until he had amassed a large
fortune.
In 1881 Capt Hackfcld, of the firm o.
II. Hackfeld & Company, invited Mr.
Isenberg TO Join him, and a half in
terest in that house was transferred Il
the late president Since that time Mr.
lssnberg has had active connection
with the house, seyering his participa
ton In the management few years ag,
when he decided 90 return To Germany
10 reside, the presidency stin remaining
win him, j, T. llackfeld being made
hrst Vlce-presidrnt ana his son, Alex
ander lsenbrrg, second ylce-president
Mt lsepherg has never lost his interes
In anairs however coming out az In
teryals, his last visit here being mad
In 1901 tie suffered Tor some year
from trouble with his right hip, but re-
comfy this was overcome und he has
made all arrangements fnr return Il
Hawaii IN the spring His Illness Wa
no more violent than Il was sudden, 10
his family bore Was not ooBnisani ~ u
unil ne hrsi telegram, which Yas ~
relYrd early Ia Iho morning yesterday
telling ihal be- WAS seriously taken, fol
lowed Nllhln a couple NJ hours hy lh
, second nnel M response a. Inquiries
salins that be- hai pueeumbed io GA
atihfH,
phe phillrrn RI hT lsruherg ana hll
nFsi Nlfr Alr senator u a. a. lsfn
boss, who i've ln honolulu hpi 10 nos