Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Chalmers, John September 17, 1860 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
J. Orr jessicanorr@gmail.com February 23, 2011, 5:14 pm

Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders, published by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Ltd., Territory of Hawaii, 1925
Author: Edited by George F. Nellist

JOHN CHALMERS, Retired Plantation Manager. John Chalmers, kamaaina and retired 
plantation executive, was long associated in responsible positions with the 
development of Hawaii’s sugar industry. Coming from Scotland to Hilo in 1884, 
he started work as a luna at the Waiakea mill and thereafter for almost forty 
years had a part in the growth of the islands’ agricultural wealth.
  Mr. Chalmers recalls the days when planting a cane crop was a doubtful 
venture, the areas of agricultural land held by plantation owners being 
limited and the cost of production often exceeding profits. He has lived, 
however, to see an almost phenomenal growth of the industry to which he 
contributed a full measure of endeavor and service.
  Born in Scotland, Sept. 17, 1860, Mr. Chalmers is the son of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (Jamieson) Chalmers. He was educated at Cookney School, County of 
Kincardinshire. Before coming to Hawaii he worked on a farm in Scotland from 
1877 to 1883.
  Severing his connection with the Waiakea mill after three months, Mr. 
Chalmers completed the first year of his stay in Hawaii in the employ of the 
Laupahoehoe plantation as overseer, remaining there until 1885. He was luna at 
Hakalau and Honohina from 1885 to 1891, going at that time to Scotland for a 
visit.
  Upon his return to Hawaii, Mr. Chalmers worked as an overseer for the 
Hawaiian Sugar Co. at Makaweli, Kauai, for two years. From this plantation he 
went to Waimanalo, on Oahu, as head overseer, remaining there eleven years.
  His next move was to Hana, Maui, where in 1904 he became manager of the 
Kaeluku Sugar Co., formerly the Hana Sugar Plantation. When he took charge at 
Hana the plantation was bankrupt and was sold at auction to the late M. S. 
Greenbaum for $300,000. The property had been operated for sixty years 
previously, had never paid a dividend and had been bankrupt three different 
times.
  Following the sale of the plantation to Mr. Greenbaum and its renaming, the 
capital stock was increased to $600,000 and under the management of Mr. 
Chalmers it paid its first dividend three years later. Stockholders continued 
to receive dividends for the ensuing eleven years, the annual average over 
this period having been 22 per cent. Mr. Chalmers retired from active work in 
January, 1921.
  Mr. Chalmers and Agnes Cushnie were married in Scotland, Oct. 26, 1891. They 
are the parents of three children, Elsie J., Joseph and Agnes K. Chalmers.


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