Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-01-11
JOHNk sumner
found DEAD IN
MOkAPU HOME
Picturesque Career of Kama
alma. 81 Years Old. Is
Brought to Close

John X. Sumner born 81 years ago
in Hawaii. the son OF one OF the first
white immigrants to the islands. was
found dead in his bed Saturday. Death
was due TO old age. Funeral services
were conducted Saturday from the
residence OF K. w Davis, a nephew,
and interment was in private plot at
Mokapu.
Mr.. Summers death occurred in the
residence OF his nephey. r. W Davis.
at Mokapu, where he had resided for
many years Mr. Sumner was the son
of Capt William Sumner, who came
to the island of Kauai as a cabin boy.
He deserted the ship and was adopted
later by the king OF that island. Cap
tain Sumner married a member of the
Hawaiian royal household
A biography written some years ago
OF Mr. Sumner gives the following
account:
John K. Sumner was born Septem-
Der 16, 1920. Then followed his only
sister. Maria S. Davis, born January
Is, 1925. There was also a brother
William. The Ellises, known as tho
Sumner heirs were William Summers
grandchildren. r. w Davis, better
known as Wallie Davis. only son of
Maria Davis, was born some 38 years
ago and he has figured in this case in
protecting his uncle's interests.
His fathers partner, John K. Sum-
ner, was the second SON. When he
had grown to be a boy his father took
him to sea on the brig Waverly, trad
ing and fur hunting along the Cali
fornia coast. Then Captain Sumner
took up land at Molanalua, taking his
sons, William and John K. in as part
ners, and at times had several thou
sand head of cattle In 1S47, Captain
William Sumner died, and in 1S49,
when the gold fever broke out in Cali
fornia, William. Jr., went and returned
home Then John K Sumner went
the following year, 1850. and returned
after considerable experiences and
hard luck, to Honolulu.
1t was then he met his future wife
at his brother Williams house, she
being Tahitian princess named Nj
nito, who was married to him by a
Protestant missionary named Arm
strong, his sponsor being Governor
Kekuanaoa, father of Kamehameha
V. His wife came on the French man
of-war from Tahiti in 1849, which de-
manded justice on behalf of some
French priests who had been ill-treat-
ed. 49,. 1'..''. go -
From the marriage came no off
spring, thus leaving his sister, Maria
s. Davis, next; then her son, Wallie
Davis; then the Ellises, the latter be-
ing only grand nephews and niece.
On Summers arrival at Tahiti he
went into the raising of seaisland cot
ton, which at that time was in de-
mand in Europe and America. After
three and half years he gave up the
cotton industry and went into the cat.
tie business. He bought brig called
the Ninito and with young Wallie Da-
Wis as boatswain, made a number of
successful trips from Hawaii to Tahiti,
buying all his cattle from John Park
er, uncle Of the well-known Sam Park
err
At last success failed him in his
transportation by sea, having made a
so days voyage from here to Tahiti,
losing the great majority of his cattle.
In 1897 John K. Sumner came back
from Tahiti and shortly after his wife
died on July 90, 1898. He remained
here until 1901, when he went back
to Tahiti on April 1, 1901, he residing
there until 1902. arriving in Honolulu
on August 20, that year, on the steam
er Sierra and falling into the clutches
of lawyers. ...... .....
Eleven years ago, John K. Sumner
was the center OF a legal battle in
which he strove to regain possession
of such of his fortune as remained in
tact. - 80 . =.