Charles Reed Bishop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Reed Bishop
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Hawaii | |
| In office January 10, 1873 – February 17, 1874 |
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| Monarch | Lunalilo |
| Preceded by | Ferdinand William Hutchison |
| Succeeded by | William Lowthian Green |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 25, 1822 Glens Falls, New York, United States |
| Died | June 7, 1915 (aged 93) San Francisco, California, United States |
| Resting place | Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii |
| Spouse |
Bernice Pauahi Pākī
(m. 1850; died 1884) |
| Children | Keolaokalani Davis (hānai) |
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Charles Reed Bishop (born January 25, 1822 – died June 7, 1915) was an important American businessman, politician, and helper of others in Hawaii. He was born in Glens Falls, New York. In 1846, when he was 24, he sailed to Hawaii and made it his home.
He married into the royal family of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Charles Bishop worked for several Hawaiian monarchs in important jobs. He also helped start the Kamehameha Schools. These schools were created to educate Hawaiian children, as his late wife wished. He also started Hawaii's first successful bank, which is now called First Hawaiian Bank. Because of his success in business, he also founded the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. He named the museum after his wife.
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Early Life and Journey to Hawaii
Charles Reed Bishop was born on January 25, 1822, in Glen Falls, New York. His parents were Maria and Samuel Bishop. Charles's mother died shortly after his younger brother was born. His father died when Charles was only four years old.
After his parents passed away, Charles was raised by his grandfather on a farm. By the time he was 15, he was working in a large store in Warrensburg, New York. He learned about farming and business from a young age. Charles finished his formal schooling after the 8th grade, which was common back then.
He became friends with William Little Lee, who was from a nearby town. William Lee later went to law school. He convinced Charles Bishop to travel with him to the Oregon Territory to find new opportunities.
Life in Hawaii
Charles Bishop and William Lee sailed from New York City on February 23, 1846. Their ship, the Henry, sailed around Cape Horn. In October, they needed to stop in Honolulu for supplies. At this time, the islands were still ruled by the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. Many Americans were moving there for business or as missionaries.
William Lee was asked to stay in Hawaii as a lawyer. He later became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Charles Bishop decided to stay too. He soon got a job helping to sort out a big land deal. After that, he worked for the U.S. Consul.
On February 27, 1849, Charles Bishop became a citizen of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He also invested in a sugarcane plantation on the island of Kauaʻi. From 1849 to 1853, he worked as the Collector General of Customs.
Marriage to a Princess
Charles Bishop met and fell in love with Bernice Pauahi Pākī. She was a princess from the royal House of Kamehameha. On June 4, 1850, they got married. Her parents initially disagreed with the marriage. Their wedding was a private ceremony at the Royal School. However, within a year, her father made peace with the marriage. He invited the couple to live in the family's large home called Haleakala.
Charles Bishop also started a business with William A. Aldrich. They sold goods to be shipped to people during the California Gold Rush. People trusted Charles Bishop. Traders would often leave their money with him to exchange different types of currency.
In 1853, Charles Bishop was chosen to be a representative in the legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Founding a Bank
On August 17, 1858, Charles Bishop started his own company called Bishop & Co. This was the first official bank in the Kingdom of Hawaii. It is the second oldest bank west of the Rocky Mountains. On its first day, the bank received over $4,700 in deposits. By 1878, the bank needed more space and moved into a two-story building. This old building is now a historic landmark.
In 1895, Charles Bishop sold the bank to Samuel Mills Damon. Over the years, the bank grew a lot. In 1960, it was renamed First Hawaiian Bank. This name showed its important role in Hawaii's history.
Public Service and Helping Others
Charles Bishop served on the Privy Council for five Hawaiian monarchs. This was a group of advisors to the king. He was a member from 1859 to 1891. King Kamehameha IV also appointed him to the House of Nobles, which was part of the legislature. From 1869 to 1891, he was on the Board of Education. During King Lunalilo's short rule, Charles Bishop was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Charles Bishop was one of the first leaders and a major supporter of the Kamehameha Schools. These schools were founded because his late wife, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, wanted to provide education for Hawaiian children. He also founded the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, which he named after his wife. He hired William Tufts Brigham to be the museum's first director. Charles Bishop also gave money to build new buildings at the private Punahou School. He was also the president of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce for several years.
After the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in 1893, Charles Bishop left Hawaii in 1894. He moved to San Francisco, California. There, he became the vice-president of the Bank of California. He continued to be involved in his Hawaiian affairs from California. For example, he hired architects to design new buildings for the Bishop estate and for Punahou School.
Later Life and Legacy
Charles Bishop passed away in 1915 at the age of 93 in San Francisco, California. His ashes were brought back to Hawaii. They were buried next to his wife at the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii.
A major street in downtown Honolulu is named Bishop Street. It cuts through land that once belonged to Charles Bishop.
See also
- Bernice P. Bishop Museum
- Mid-Pacific Institute
- The Queen's Medical Center
- Kamehameha Schools
- Punahou School
- First Hawaiian Bank
