Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Young, Alexander December 14, 1833 - July 2, 1910
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J. Orr orr@hawaii.com October 8, 2009, 2:54 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

ALEXANDER YOUNG, Constructive Capitalist. The story of the late Alexander 
Young, pioneer business man and capitalist of Honolulu, spans a period of 
almost a century, dating from his birth to the present day, when the influence 
of the enterprising Scotsman is still felt through the activities of his 
business associates. Today the von Hamm-Young Co., Ltd., automobile agents, 
and the Territorial Hotel Co., Ltd., are memorials to the far-sighted business 
sense and the integrity which were Mr. Young’s chief assts when he started his 
business career.
  Alexander Young was born in Blackburn, Scotland, December 14, 1833, the son 
of Robert and Agnes Young. His father was a contractor. While still a lad Mr. 
Young entered the firm of Alexander Chaplin & Co., of Glasgow, as an 
apprentice in the mechanical engineering and machinist department. He showed 
marked ability for the work and was soon sent to London to erect machinery. 
Meeting with success in this field he entered into a three-year contract with 
the firm of Anderson & Co., machinists. His first assignment was a trip around 
the Horn to Vancouver Island with a shipload of machinery and a contract to 
build and operate a large sawmill at Alberni. Before leaving England, Mr. 
Young married Miss Ruth Pearce, daughter of Robert and Susan (Armiger) Pearce 
of Mundford, Norfolk, 1860. the young couple set out for America on the 
ship “Woodpecker,” arriving at Vancouver Island, August 26, 1860, remaining in 
what was then almost a wilderness for several years. Their first child was 
born there. Mrs. Young was the only white woman in the community. She and the 
infant contracted smallpox and were nursed to health by Mr. Young. They left 
Vancouver Island for the distant “Sandwich Islands,” arriving in Honolulu 
February 5, 1865, on the ship “Egeria.”
  To the newcomers Hawaii offered business opportunities which led eventually, 
through paths of industry, to an established fortune. Upon his arrival Mr. 
Young formed a partnership with William Lidgate to operate a foundry and 
machine shop at Hilo, Hawaii, continuing in this business for four years. 
Moving to Honolulu, Mr. Young bought the interest of Thomas Hughes in the 
Honolulu Iron Works and continued in this business for 32 years. Mr. Young had 
accumulated capital and upon his retirement from the iron works invested in 
sugar plantation enterprises. He became president of the Waiakea Mill Co., and 
was interested in Kahuku plantation.
  In 1887 Mr. Young became a naturalized citizen of the United States. During 
the monarchy he was honored with a place in the House of Nobles, 1889, was a 
member of the advisory council under the provisional Government and was a 
Minister of the Interior in President Dole’s cabinet.
  Although well beyond middle life at the opening of the present century, Mr. 
Young was still actively promoting industry in the new Territory, and in 1900 
he began the erection of the Alexander Young Hotel, which today is known 
throughout the world. The building was completed in 1903 and since that time 
has served as a show place and center of Honolulu’s social life. In 1905 Mr. 
Young acquired the Moana Hotel and later the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The Royal 
Hawaiian was continued until 1917 when it was purchased for the Army and Navy 
Y. M. C. A.
  Almost simultaneously with his plans for the Honolulu hotel system, Mr. 
Young facilitated the organization of the von Hamm-Young Co., now one of the 
largest and most progressive business houses in Hawaii, handling machinery, 
general merchandise and insurance agencies. Through an auxiliary, the American-
Hawaiian Motors Co., a large automobile and garage business is conducted. 
Founders of The von Hamm-Young Co., Ltd., were Alexander Young, A. A. Young, 
his son; C. C. von Hamm, R. W. Anderson and George W. Herriot. It was 
incorporated for $100,000. Shortly afterward the stock of Mr. Anderson and Mr. 
Herriot was purchased by the three remaining partners.
  Mr. Young died July 2, 1910. His widow died October 17, 1914. They were 
survived by nine children: Alexander Young, Jr., Mrs. Theo. F. Dredge, Mrs. R. 
W. Anderson, Robert A. Young, Mrs. J. L. Howard, Miss Bertha Young, Mrs. 
Concard C. von Hamm, Archibald Alfred Young and Mrs. T. R. McNab.


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