Honolulu County HI Archives Obituaries.....Frear, Walter Francis January 22, 1948
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Unknown Newspaper, January 23, 1948
DEATH AT 84 OVERTAKES W. F. FREAR AT HIS HOME

  Walter Francis Frear, third governor of Hawaii and former territorial chief 
justice, died suddenly Thursday evening at 6:30 at his home, Arcadia, 1434 
Punahou street. 
  Mr. Frear – known for many years as “Judge” Frear from his various periods 
of service on the bench of Hawaii – succumbed to the frailties of age. Born 
October 29, 1863, he was 84 years and three months old. 
  A man of unusual vitality, he had survived the illnesses of age, and a 
crippling accident several years ago in which a shoulder bone was broken, to 
enjoy life cheerfully and the congenial company of his family members and 
friends.
  Judge Frear became ill Wednesday afternoon, while downtown, and went home. 
But on Thursday morning he had felt much better and was in his usual cheerful 
spirits.
  It was not until a few moments before the end that there was indication that 
he was mortally stricken.
  Walter F. Dillingham, brother of Mrs. Frear, announced the death soon after 
6:30.
  Funeral arrangements have not been completed. It is expected that 
announcement of the plans will be made later today.
  Judge Frear’s death came almost simultaneously with the arrival here of the 
first copies of his fine book, “Mark Twain and Hawaii”.
  The volume, of more than 500 pages, is a friendly, accurate account of the 
visit of the great American humorist to these islands in 1866.
  Ample evidence of the untold hours the author employed in his research into 
Twain’s doings all over the islands is to be found in the story.
  Even the most devout followers of Sam Clemens will discover new material 
concerning their favorite in the pages which poured from Judge Frear’s 
typewriter.
  The volume will find a high place in Hawaiiana and Americana.
  It has been published privately by the Lakeside Press of Chicago.
  He had been diligently at work on his writings, to which he devoted much of 
his later years after retirement from business and his profession.

WALTER F. FREAR’S CAREER NOTABLE IN LAW, BUSINESS, PUBLIC OFFICE
  One of Hawaii’s notable careers in varied fields came to a close with the 
death of Walter Francis Frear Thursday evening at 6:30 at his home, Arcadia, 
on Punahou street.
  In law, business and public office he had achieved unusual eminence – as one 
of the territory’s leading attorneys; as chief justice of the territorial 
supreme court; as governor of Hawaii; as president of the Bishop Trust Co., 
following his retirement from public office.
  Walter F. Frear was born at Grass Valley, Calif., October 29, 1863. He came 
with his parents to the Hawaiian Islands when he was seven years old. His 
father was pastor of Fort St. church, Honolulu, also served as president of 
Oahu College.
  On his father’s side, he was descended from Hughes Frere, a French Huguenot 
who came to America about 1677. From “Frere” came the family name Frear.
  On his mother’s side he was descended from George Soule, a Pilgrim who came 
to America on the historic Mayflower.
  The son Walter graduated from Oahu College in 1881 and the same year entered 
Yale University, whence he graduated as a Bachelor of Arts in 1885. 
  He then spent a year in Hastings Law School, San Francisco. Returning to the 
islands he was for two and a half years an instructor at Oahu College in 
Greek, mathematics and political economy.
  After a year in Gen. A. S. Hartwell’s law office in Honolulu he returned to 
Yale, for a course at its law school, graduating in 1890 with the degree of 
LL.B. (magna cum laude.)
  He also won the Jewell prize for the best examination. The same time he was 
elected to the Phi Beta Kappa society of his alma mater.
  Admitted to Bar
  Mr. Frear spent a summer in Europe and returned to Honolulu, being admitted 
to the local bar. 
  His first appearance on the bench took place on January 1, 1893, when Queen 
Liliuokalani appointed him as second judge of the Circuit Court of the first 
judicial circuit. On March 7 of the same year President Dole of the 
Provisional Government appointed him as second associate justice of the 
Supreme Court.
  On January 6, 1896, under the Republic, President Dole made him first 
associate justice.
  He was acting chief justice from 1899 to 1900, becoming chief justice in 
July of the latter year. Having filled the office one term he was reappointed 
by President Theodore Roosevelt on June 14, 1904 and served until August 15, 
1907.
  With President S. B. Dole of the Republic Judge Frear served on the Hawaiian 
Commission in 1898 to frame a system of government for what was to be the 
Territory of Hawaii, the other members being Senator Cullom, Senator Morgan 
and Representative Hitt.
  From 1903 to 1905 he was chairman of the code commission, which compiled, 
revised and annotated all the laws of Hawaii, and from 1923 to 1925 served as 
a member of the compilation commission which brought the earlier revisions up 
to date.
 Appointed Governor
  Appointed governor of Hawaii in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Mr. 
Frear remained in office until 1913, at the head of an administration noted 
for its efficiency and progressive measures.
  He was chairman of the Hawaiian delegation to the Republican national 
convention in 1912.
  He served as governor under Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson, resigning 
December 1, 1913.
  He retired from the governorship to reenter the practice of law and became 
senior partner and active member of the firm of Frear, Prosser, Anderson & 
Marx. This was the predecessor of the present firm of Anderson, Wrenn & Jenks, 
in the Bank of Hawaii building.
  On November 9, 1925, he entered the business field directly, as president of 
the Bishop Trust Co., and served in that post until he retired from active 
business in 1934.
  He continued his association with the Bishop Trust Co. as a vice president 
and director throughout the years till his death.
 Active In Many Civic Fields
  During his long and active life in Hawaii he served on literally scores of 
boards, commissions and committees.
  Many were volunteer service to the public. Others were in civic fields.
  He was a gifted and frequent writer of magazine articles on varied subjects, 
and a member of many civic, professional, religious and patriotic societies.
  Only recently an authoritative book on “Mark Twain in Hawaii” had come off 
the press. Into this he had put many years of affectionate though not 
continuous study. An admirer of Twain, he enjoyed compiling this story of the 
great American writer’s visit to Hawaii 82 years ago.
  Judge and Mrs. Frear made of Arcadia, their spacious home on Punahou street, 
set on wide lawns under great trees, a center of simple but boundless 
hospitality.
  They made it frequently available for informal receptions, teas and other 
events where people of all races gathered happily.
  The first house warming in this residence was on January 20, 1908. the 40th 
anniversary of that house-warming was celebrated January 20, 1948 – last 
Tuesday.
Mrs. Frear Also An Author
  Mrs. Frear, his devoted companion and helpmeet through their many years of 
married life, is widely known as an author of charm and distinction.
  In earlier years she was president of the College Club of Honolulu and 
otherwise active in many civic, cultural and educational societies and groups.
  They were married on August 1, 1893. She was Miss Mary Emma Dillingham, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Dillingham.
  The Dillinghams were the founders of the extensive Dillingham family of 
today. Mrs. Frear is the sister of Walter F. and Harold G. Dillingham and of 
Mrs. Louise Erdman, widow of the late Rev. John P. Erdman.


Additional Comments:
Actually two articles next to each other.

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