Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Schaefer, Frederick August August 19, 1836 - March 11, 1920 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/hi/hifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: J. Orr orr@hawaii.com October 7, 2009, 8:55 pm Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders. Published by The Honolulu Star Bulletin, Territory of Hawaii, 1925. Author: Edited by George F. Nellist FREDERICK AUGUST SCHAEFER, Industrial Builder. To the energy and business ability of the late Frederick August Schaefer, pioneer merchant and distinguished consular representative of foreign governments, the firm of F. A. Schaefer & Co., Ltd., sugar factors and business agents, owes its existence. His death, on March 11, 1920, removed one of the most prominent and widely known citizens of Hawaii, a leader in the commercial development of the islands and the founder of a family which continues its residence in the Territory. Mr. Schaefer came to Hawaii in November, 1857, from Bremen, Germany. On the brig “Antilla,” he made a six months’ journey around Cape Horn to reach Honolulu, where he came to take a position as clerk with Melchers & Co., commission merchants, importers and owners of whaling ships. Ten years after his arrival in Hawaii, Mr. Schaefer took over the business of Melchers & Co., establishing the firm of F. A. Schaefer & Co., July 1, 1867. He later became identified with the sugar industry, then in its infancy, was the organizer of Honokaa Sugar Co. and Pacific Sugar Mill, on the island of Hawaii, becoming first president of the company on May 10, 1878, and continuing in that office for 40 years, until he retired Feb. 20, 1918. For many years Mr. Schaefer was dean of the consular corps in Hawaii, having been appointed to represent Italy in 1869, his service continuing until 1915, and from 1894 to 1914 he was acting consul for Austria-Hungary. He was decorated by the rulers of Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary, and, long a close associate of Hawaiian royalty, was decorated with the Order of Kamehameha (Knight Commander) and the Order of the Crown of Hawaii (Grand Officer) by King Kalakaua. During a long period Mr. Schaefer was prominent in semi-public life. He served as trustee of The Queen’s Hospital from 1867 to 1907. For 27 years he was president of the Hawaiian Board of Fire Underwriters, acted also as president of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, was a trustee of the Honolulu Sailors’ Home Society, and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a prominent Mason, and held office as treasurer of Hawaiian Lodge, No. 21. Born in Bremen, Germany, Aug. 19, 1836, Mr. Schaefer was the son of John Wilhelm and Sophie (Brandes) Schaefer. His father was professor and rector of the Commercial School of Bremen. Mr. Schaefer was educated in Germany. Mr. Schaefer married Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of the late Justice George M. Robertson, in Honolulu, April 29, 1879. They were the parents of seven children, Mrs. Irmgard Elgin, Mrs. J. W. Waldron, Mrs. Alfred L. Castle, G. E. Schaefer, C. T. Schaefer, Mrs. Pauline Strode and Frederick August Schaefer, Jr. He is survived by his widow and children. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/hi/statewide/bios/schaefer60bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/hifiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb