Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/549

 Mr. c. Pencock ADI'LAIDK AND VICINITY 523 Square Congregational Church, and died on January 21, 1874, ag(xl 84 years. Mr. William Peacock founded the firm of W. Peacock & Sons, tanncu's and wool scourers. The late Mr. Caleb Peacock was born in Adelaide; in iS.|i, and was oik; of the; first half-dozen students to attend the old educational establishment of iIk; late; Mr. J. L. Young. Upon leaving school he was engaged in the office of Messrs. Heeby t<: Dunstaiie, millers, of Grenfell Street, whence, after a few years, he proceeded to Hlanch(town, on the River Murray, and established an agency business. At an early age he manifested that unselfish spirit which was ever his characteristic. Among his fellow-employes in Adelaide was a young fellow who was in receipt of a high(r salary than his. It was observed by the firm that Mr. Peacock was a promising young business man, and they decided to dismiss the higher-salaried man and to put Mr. Peacock in his |)lace. This arrangement the latter would not agree to ; and, rather than be the cause of the dismissal of his companion, he severed his connection with the firm. At Blanchetown Mr. Peacock secured a large connection in the transport of wool, wheat, flour, etc. I'pon the death of his brother, Mr. Joseph Peacock, who for seven years represented the District of Sturt in the House of Assembly, Mr. Caleb Peacock removed to Adelaide and took charge of the tannery business of W. Peacock & Sons, with which he was associated to the time of his death. Mr. Caleb Peacock first entered public life in December, 1875, when he was elected to the mayoralty of Adelaide. He had the distinction of being the first native-born South Australian to occupy the civic chair. Among other matters which he sujiported was the deep-drainage .system. During his mayoralty the Adelaide and Suburban Tramways were established, and the Adelaide Bridge over the Torrens was opened. He was chairman of the South Australian Committee for the Indian Famine Relief Pmd, to which the Province contributed ^10,000. On behalf of citizens he presented farewell addresses to Sir Anthony Musgrave when that administrator left the Province to become (iovernor o Jamaica, and addresses of welcome to the succeeding Governors. .Sir W. W. Cairns and .Sir W. P. D. Jervois. Notwithstanding his undoubted ability, Mr. Caleb Peacock did not have a lengthy political career. He was elected imopposed to the Holise of Assembly for North Adelaide on December 16, 1878, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Neville Blyth, but did not again contest the seat. Ikit in other respects Mr. Peacock gave much of his time and advice to commercial, charitable, athletic, and social movements. He was a Director of the Adelaide branch of the National Bank, Chairman of the South Australian Board of Directors of the Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria, Vice-President of the South Australian Cricketing Association, President of the Adelaide Rowing Club, life member of the Adelaide Children's Hospital, member of Committee of the; Blind and Deal and Dumb Institution, member of Council of the Zoological Society, and at one time President of the Adelaide Club. He was a founder of the Lodge St. Albans (Freema-sons). and was its second Worshipful Master. He died on February 17, 1896. Mr. Caleb Peacock's popularity was so great, his kindly character was so much admired, that his funeral obsequies were attended with unusual gloom. One who had taken so large a part in the life of the city could not but be missed, and remembered with regret. II 2