Paul Neumann (Attorney General) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Neumann
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| Born | 1839 |
| Died | July 2, 1901 (aged 61–62) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician, diplomat |
| Known for | Attorney general |
| Spouse(s) | Elisa |
| Children | 5 |
Paul Neumann (1839 – July 2, 1901) was an important lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He worked in both California and the Kingdom of Hawaii.
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Early Life and Career
Paul Neumann was born in Prussia in 1839. He moved to California in 1854 with his twin brother, Edward. The brothers worked in the goldmines, where Paul unfortunately broke his leg.
Later, Paul moved to San Francisco and became a lawyer around 1864. He was elected to represent San Francisco in the California State Senate for three terms. This shows he was a respected figure in California politics.
Moving to Hawaii
Neumann worked for Claus Spreckels, a powerful German American businessman. Spreckels had a big business refining sugar from Hawaii in California. Neumann met Hawaiian royalty when they visited California and were entertained by Spreckels.
In 1882, Neumann ran for the United States House of Representatives in San Francisco. However, a newspaper called him a "sugar coated candidate," saying he was controlled by Spreckels. He lost the election.
In 1883, Neumann moved to the Hawaiian Islands. He became a legal advisor for Spreckels, who now owned the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper. Neumann was also one of the first Jewish leaders in Hawaii.
Working for the Hawaiian Monarchy
Paul Neumann was comfortable with monarchies because he came from Europe. He became friends with other Europeans in Hawaii. King David Kalākaua and his government often relied on loans from Spreckels.
Soon after arriving, Neumann became the attorney general (the chief legal officer) of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He also joined the King's Privy Council, a group of close advisors. Some people criticized Neumann for playing Poker with the king, which they thought was improper.
In 1884, Neumann was appointed to the House of Nobles, which was part of the kingdom's government. He also served on the board of health. He even traveled to Mexico as an envoy (a diplomat) in 1884.
Under a new constitution in 1887, the House of Nobles became an elected position. Neumann lost his seat but won it back in 1892 for one more term.
Defending the Queen
Queen Liliʻuokalani appointed Neumann as attorney general again in August 1892. However, he resigned quickly because his idea for a state lottery was very unpopular with the legislature. He was appointed again shortly after and served until November 1892.
After the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, Neumann became the private lawyer for Queen Liliʻuokalani. He traveled to Washington, DC to protest the overthrow and ask for the monarchy to be restored.
Neumann defended Queen Liliʻuokalani and other prisoners in a military court after a failed rebellion in 1895. The Queen was accused of not reporting a plot against the new government. Neumann advised her to formally give up her claim to the throne, which she did. This led to the revolutionaries pardoning her and the others.
After Hawaii became part of the United States in 1898, Neumann accepted the situation. He applied to be the first lawyer from Hawaii to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He believed that the Crown Lands of Hawaii had been taken illegally, a topic that is still discussed today.
Even without a government job, he was well-respected. He became the leader of the local Masonic Lodge and president of the Hawaii Bar Association. He also represented many Chinese victims of the Great Honolulu Chinatown Fire of 1900.
Paul Neumann passed away on July 2, 1901. At his funeral, he was called "one of the most brilliant men who ever set foot on Hawaiian soil." He was buried in Oahu Cemetery.
Family Life
Paul Neumann had five children with his wife, Elisa.
His daughter Eva (1871–1921) married Alfred Fowler. His son Edouard Neumann graduated from the United States Naval Academy but tragically died in a fire during target practice in 1904. Another son, Paul Neumann Jr., studied medicine in Scotland and lived in London.
Neumann's wife Elisa and daughter Lily also moved to London. Other daughters, Anita and Inez, married in Honolulu and Annapolis, Maryland.
In 1908, his wife Elisa traveled to Acapulco, Mexico to handle her mother's and stepfather's estates. Sadly, she died on a steamer ship to San Francisco.
