Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-11-16
FLA, SCHAEFER
BEGINS SINTIETH
BUSINESS YEAR
Sits at Desk Where He Started
Work in Honolulu Fifty
nine Years Before

beginning the sixtieth year of his
residence in Honolulu, sitting al his
: desk Oh the identical site where he
began lis business career here 20
years before, r. A. ScEaefer was to he-
found on Tuesday of this week, hale
and hearty. despite the 50 years that
Lad passed over his head about three
months ago. He is one of a trio OF
Eonoiulu's merchant princes whose
survival OF practically two generations
iiS contemporaries here gives striking
eVlcGnce or the geniality of Hawaii's
climate, as well as OF the sustaining
virtue OF business industry, coupled
p with serene dispositions Robert
Levers. who entered business here 60.
years ago last September, and p. c.
Jones, 90 years ago last October, are
the two other members of this illus.
trious trio of Honolulu's citizens.
Frederick August Schaefer was
born in August, 1893, in Bremen,
Germany, where his father was pro,
lessor and rector of the Commercial
school.
Comes From Bremen
He left Bremen by the brig Antilla,
via Cape Horn. In May, 1861. and ar
rived in Honolulu on November IA,
1857. under engagement as clerk to
the firm of Melchers & Co, who were
importers and commission mer-
chants, owners of whalers, ETC., and
! at the time occupied and owned the
premises corner of Merchant and
Kaahumanu streets in Honolulu.
In 1859 and again in 1860 he made
rnvo0oc in tho hI.iU
Hero to Kamschatka tPetropawlskyl
and Nicolaefsk on the Amur river for
the above firm, making a short visit
at Hakodadi, Japan. on the way and
returning to Honolulu just before the
winter season set in.
Es.abIishessNew Firm
In 1867 he'took over the business Of
Melchers & Co. and on July l Of that
year established the firm of f. X
Schaefer & CO, Which he conductefl
on similar lines, but gradually drop.
ping the importing branches and yen-
turing into sugar plantations and a
general agency business, as it is now
constituted s.-s ,.-s sssgps
During q great number of years lie
l!eld many positions Of semi-pubiic
nature, although he never engaged in
politics. Thus, he was trustee OF
the Queens Hospital for 40 years
(1867-1s07) and most of that time
secretary and finally yice-president of
that institutions; president of the Ha-
waiian Board OF Fire Underwriters for
a period OF % years; trustee OF The
Honolulu Sailors Home Society and
for many years its secretary and
president; president OF the Chamber
OF Commerce, president of the Ha-
wGiian Sugar Planters Association,
treasurer of Hawaiian Lodge No. 81,
F. and A. NJ, for number of years.
but has retired now from all these
fvnctions on account CT age.
Held Two consulates
Schaefer held the position OF con-
sui for Italy in Hawaii for as years
C1869-1915), and that OF acting consul
for Austria-Hungary for 10 years
(IS9S-1914l. For many years under
the monarchy, the provisional govern
ment, the republic and the territory
he was dean of the consular crops
Schaefer has seen good deal OF
Hawaiian life of the old times, has |
personally known many OF the chiefs
who prominently figured in the his !
tory of Hawaii, has met most of the |
old missionaries who have passed |
away long ago and he now remains |
himself an old landmark of nearly 20 |
years constant residence in these |
islands.
His wife is a daughter of the late |
Justice Robertson and sister of the |
present chief justice of the supreme |
court. and their children are promi. !
nent in kamaaina society of Homo
lulu.