Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/374

 348 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. c. wnico. business of Gilbert, Willcox, & Co., hay and corn merchants. For ten years the two partners shared the profits of this business, but in 1883 Mr. Willcox bou,q;ht Mr. Gilbert's interests and became sole proprietor. He then took another holiday trip home. Prosperity attended his subsequent efforts in South Australia, and in 1886 he purchased the Payneham and Paradise Tramway Company, in conjunction with the late Hon. W. Everard. This investment proved remunerative ; and at the end of three years Mr. P2ver-ird's interest was bought by Mr. Willcox. F"ollowing up his speculative ventures, Mr. Willcox purchased, in 1896, the Goodwood and Clarence Park Tramway Company. The large coaching and livery establishment of John Hill & Co. next attracted Mr. Willcox's attention, and to-day he is the largest shareholder in that lucrative business, and sits on the directorate as chairman, having held that position for the last ten years. Mr. Willcox has for a considerable period identified himself with municipal and public affairs, and evinced a keen interest in all that affects the welfare of the capital. In 1884 he stood for Robe Ward in the City Council, and was returned. Prom that time he sat for many years in the Council, successively passing through the grades of Councillor and Alderman, until in 1892 his usefulness and devotion to the affairs of the city were rewarded by his election as Mayor, an office he again held in the following year. He conducted his administration with dignity and tact, and the city enjoyed a period of beneficial and wholesome legislation under his mayoralty. Politics possessed some interest for Mr. Willcox, and in 1896 he was returned as one of the representatives of the North-Eastern District for the Legislative Council by one of the largest majorities ever obtained in the electorate. Mr. Willcox had sought to enter the political arena before, but by an unfortunate technicality his election had been declared invalid. He had sought the suffrages of the electors of (iumeracha, had successfully conducted his campaign, ind the poll declared in his favor. But it was objected that he was a Government contractor ; and rather than legally fight over this incapacitating circumstance, he yielded to the wishes of certain political friends and resigned. Since his advent to the Upper House he has proved himself a useful legislator. Mr. Willcox is a trustee of the Y. M.C. A. Building,- as well as a member of the managing committee of that institution. He is a trustee of the North Adelaide Institute, and a director of many mining and commercial companies. His name is prominently associated with the Chambers of Commerce and Manufactures, organisations to which he has consistently lent his practical assistance. Por many years he has taken a leading part in the affairs of the Agricultural Society, and is now an active member of that body- Mr. Willcox has been a prominent adherent and supporter of the Baptist Church in North Adelaide for the last quarter of a century. To the people in North Adelaide he has done a memorable municipal service in beautifying and embellishing the locality, particularly Brougham Place Square, while to the general advance of the city he has devoted time, pains, and ability. His commercial energies have percolated into almost every local channel in and about Adelaide, and to-day he employs probably more labor than any other single person in the Province. Philanthropy has ever kept pace with his financial success ; and many charitable institutions, promotive organisations, fraternities, and guilds have had occasion to express their gratitude for his timely help.