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DEATH OF MR. CHARLES
WILLCOX.
MAYOR AND LEGISLATOR.
MANY BUSINESS INTERESTS.
General regret will be felt concerning
the death of Mr. Charles Willcox, a former
mayor of Adelaide and member of the Le-
gislative Council. Mr. Willcox who was
in his 78th year, contracted pneumonia
on Wednesday of last week and passed
away peacefully at his home, Fitzroy-ter-
race, Fitzroy, about 5 o'clock yesterday
morning. He was well known throughout
South Australia and in most parts of
the commonwealth as a business man
who, beginning with little material
equipment, but with indomitable courage,
abundant energy, and financial acumen,
rose to the highest ranks of com-
mercial enterprise in this State. He
was a high-minded and patriotic citizen
and was very cordially respected
throughout the community. He had a
warm heart and an open hand. His word
was his bond, and in all the engage-
ments of public business and social life he
bore his part with the greatest possible
efficiency. He was courteous and generous
on all occasions. He did excellent work
as a legislator and he was a most valuable
municipalist, his turn as mayor being
marked by the utmost success. In the
hospitalities of the office he was splen-
didly aided by his wife, who was exceed-
ingly popular during her period as
mayoress.
Mr. Willcox was born at Borough-
bridge, on the Parreth, a tributary
of the Severn, in Somersetshire on Sep-
tember 15, 1843. Therefore in another
week he would have completed his 78th
year. He was educated in his native
parish and came to South Australia in the
sailing ship Adamant at the age of 18.
For a year and a half he followed rural
pursuits in the South-East and then re-
turned to Adelaide and entered into the
employment of Messrs. Goode Bros.,
wholesale merchants. Three years later he
visited England, but he stayed
there only for about 12 months.
In 1873 he entered into partnership
in Tynte-street, North Adelaide,
with the late Mr. William Gilbert, M.P.,
as hay, chaff, and corn merchants, under
the style of Gilbert, Willcox & Co. Ten    
years later Mr. Willcox purchased Mr.
Gilbert's interest in the firm, and became
sole proprietor of the business, which was
carried on under the style of Charles
Willcox & Co. Later be secured an interest
in the business of John Hill & Co.,
and was chairman of directors of that
company until the amalgamation with H.
Graves & Co., under the name of Graves
Hill & Co. Mr. Willcox was also chair-
man of directors of the new company
until it went into liquidation last year,
and be was appointed one of the liquida-
tors.
In 1886 Mr. Willcox purchased the
Payneham and Paradise Tramway Com-
pany, is conjunction with the late Hon.
W. Everard, and three years later became
sole proprietor. Prosperity rewarded his
industry and enterprise, and in 1896 he
purchased also the Goodwood and Clarence
Park tramway. The two lines he con-
ducted profitably until they were taken
over by the Metropolitan Tramways Trust
for the purpose of electrification. He held
the largest individual interest of any
shareholder in the Adelaide tramways at
the time of the conversion. He was chair-
man of directors of the West Coast Ship-
ping Company at the time of the amalga-
mation with the Gulf Steamship Company,
and held a similarly high position
in the Coast Steamships, Limited, which
company later was incorporated in the
Adelaide Steamship Company. He re-
mained a director untill the time of his
death. With Mr. Job Hallett. he
founded the firm of J. Hallett & Sons,
brickmakers of Brompton, the biggest
business of its kind in the State. In 1901
he took over the produce business of W.
Thyer & Co. from Messrs. F. C. Howard
and W. Thhyr, and continued it under the
style of Thyer, Willcox & Co. The trad-
ing name of the firm is now Charles Will-
cox & Co.
Mr. Wlllcok was at one time interested
with Messrs. C. H. Angas and J. W.
Bakewell in the Tarella Pastoral Com-
pany, and also engaged in farming
in the Mallala and Two Wells dis-
tricts. His many enterprises in-
cluded fruit-growing at Renmark and
Berri. He was one of the guarantors of
the Jubilee Exhibition Building in 1887,
and of the Adelaide Y.M.C.A., of which
he also was a trustee and member of
the managing committee. He was for
many years a member of the committee
of the Baptist Union and a prom-
nent member and officer of the Tynte-
street (North Adelaide) Baptist Church.
Not withstanding his many business in-
terests, Mr. Willcox found time for phil-
anthropic work, and was actively con-
nected with the boards of management of
the Royal Institution for the Blind and
the Home for Incurables. He was also
prominent in tbe Chambers of Commerce
and Manufactures and the Royal Agricul-
tural Society.
His work in the Adelaide City Council,
particularly in respect to the beautification
of the city, is gratefully remembered by
the citizens. He was first elected to the
council as a councillor for Robe ward in
1884. He continued his connection with
municipal activities hi tbe cipacitv of
councillor and alderman until D?2, Vrhen
he was elected mayor, an office he held
for two yeais. Policies also poosensed *b
interest for him. He first sought election
to the House of Assembly as a represenU
tre of Crumeracba, and conducted a si-
eoreful campavn. He was declared ekcted
but, on objection being made that he was
a Government contractor, be resigned tfie
seat. In 1896 be was returned as a #?>re
?entative <£ the N'orth-Ea?tern Dirfnct of
the LpgwlaUre Counvil *>y one of She largpss
majorities ever obuined in ti?t diatru-x.
For many years lie represented that con
stiteency K-ith credit to himseic anl
benefit to the electors.
Mr. Willcox was twice married. A
widow, six sons, and five daughters survive.
The family comprises Dr. F. M. Willcox
of Adelaide; Messrs. S. and A. M. Will
cox, of Two Wells; H. G. Willcox of
Robe-Terrace, Medindie.; P. H. Willcox of
Clare: and C. A. Willcox, of Fitzroy: Mrs
G. Hillman, of Prospect: Mrs. R. W.
Thomas, of Brisbane; Mrs. Malcolm P
Reid, of Toorak: Miss Willcox and Miss
Irene Willcox, of Fitzroy.
The president of the Commonwealth
Club (Dr. F. W. Richards) at a luncheon
at the Town Hall on Wednesday said he
was sure it was the wish of all present that
he should refer to the death of a former
Mayor of Adelaide (Mr Charle Willcox).
A great loss had been sustained by the
public.
The late Mr. Charles WiHcox. Help
The late Mr. Charles Willcox.
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