He began growing Irish potatoes, which are suitable for cultivation in Hokkaido's climate, and devoted his life to increasing their popularity. Since he held the title of baron (danshaku), which he had received from his father, the potatoes were named danshaku potatoes, and they have since become one of Hokkaido's well-known products.
You may well be familiar with this story, but I think it is less well known today that his father was Koichiro Kawada, the third Governor of the Bank, who established the local office in Hakodate. I was very interested to learn of this connection between the Bank and Hakodate.