The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-08-31

many years he believed that our indus.
trial field offered rare opportunities
for the useful investment of capital,
and urged the establishment of another
bank, in which large number of bust
ness men should join. During these
years he became an acknowledged
financial leader.
But his energies were not confined
to the sugar and mercantile industries
He urged the establishment of other
enterprises and Joined heartily in for.
warding the plans to establish the
growth of tea and coffee on a firm
commercial basis. He was a director
and deeply interested in the Kona Cof
fee and Tea Plantation, and, though it
failed, he often said that the expert
ence was not lost; it would result in
good to the Islands eventually.
In 1897 the Bank of Hawaii was
organized and opened its doors, De.
cember 27 He was one of its charter
members, but as the family was then
residing in California he declined ac-
tive participation in its affairs. But
following the death Of Ned Jones and
the temporary retirement of Mr.. p. C.
Jones from active business, he finally
accepted, with some reluctance, the
presidency of the bank and assumed
the duties of the position in Septem.
Der, 1898. At that time the bank had
a paid.up capital of 100000, bu.
through his energy and able leadership
its business so developed and increas-
ed, despite the establishment of two
other banks and two trust companies
since 1898. that when he laid aside
active leadership January l. 1909, it
had a paid-up capital of 100000 and
/ undivided profits of nearly 100000.
1t is almost true that he had the
golden touch. Nearly everything he
! became interested in and labored for
was prosperous. To illustrate the truth
of this, one only has to remember the
names of some of his enterprises
Eva Waialua. Lihue, Koloa. Hawai-.
an Agricultural. Kohala, Waikiki. Wa.
hiawa, Brewer & Co., the Bank of Ha.
waii. At the time of his death he
was president of the Bank of Hawaii
/ and of Brewer & Co., and had only
| recently withdrawn from the same posi-
! tion in Eva, Waialua and the Hawai-.
ian Agricultural Company, and he was
still an active director in many other
corporations.
! Those who have dealt with Mr..
; Cooke will testify to his rare business
I ability. He was both shrewd and yet
bold; conservative, yet far sighted.
j One of his qualities, which has had n
. fine influence in Hawaii, was his un-
failing optimism. 1t was always pres
ent and vigorously exercised when
most needed, and has done much to
sustain when everything appeared
dark and hopeless to others. All will
remember how perfectly cool and con
tident he was during the sudden panic
of 1907. when our close relations with
New York seemed to render disaster
here certain. He was always cordial
and courteous: it was a pleasure to
deal with him.
To those who only met Mr.. Cooke
in the walks of business, ii would seem
that the story of his life was complet.
ed with the commercial history of his
times. But TO those who knew him
business was only one side of the
largeness of his nature, and the sweet
est and best was found in his social
religious and domestic life.
April 80, 1874, he was married tc
Anna C, Rice, daughter of the late vii
liam Rice, Of Lihue, Kauai. OF th'
, issue of this marriage all live but two
aud all have settled in Hawaii be
coming useful and valuable citizens
thus following IN the footsteps of thci
father, They are c. Montague Cooke
Clarence II, Cooke George T.. Cooke
/ Richard \, Cooke, Alice II, Cooke AM
Theodore \, Cooke Except the tw
! last named, all are engaged in busl
, ness, Everyone who had the priv
\ lcge Of entering the home soon learn
+ cd 20 admire the spirit there manifest
f. cd. II IL not too much TO say tha
5 IN his home with his family, Nj
o Cookies life and influence were nearl
0 perfect, "llis children will rise n
and call him blesspdn can truly b
I. said Of his family
ID Early iu liip ht mltrd Nlth Fol
street ihureh and has ever sineo u
~ mulnri consistent ana miifln
= church member and Christian, Eve
y here MS rare business qualification
a. Nefp mnsl Important for business 81
. ergy aui inef are us much needed
n lhn rhaffh as ln tnpaI growing ,
a hHnhlng Rni Nhon ihe iliirull tas
N ne puinng lhp hrihrl Nulnn apd fol
n hlfd hpTeA arose he Nas enr Nhoi
lt fesonIeeiplpeus Nar moH called upol
81 iip hrfemf a fhalipf memhef VI -