243:. Eleven years later he decided he could comfortably retire to England, but after experiencing one winter he decided Australia was his true home and at the end of fourteen months returned to South Australia. He had fortunately not given up his interest in the fodder business. His nephew William Gilbert Payne (ca.1865 â 5 April 1926), also from Aylesbury, emigrated around 1885 and helped with his uncle's chaff and fodder business, which, as Gilbert & Co. opened mills at
40:
223:, Buckinghamshire, the only son of a successful millwright and engineer, and was educated at what was later described as the "best private school in the county" but which Gilbert himself criticised as "cramming Greek and Latin rather than teaching first principles", At 19 years of age he took over his father's business, and ran it for ten years. Around 1860 he followed his father into the flour-milling business with a mill at
231:. The mill business was quite successful, though limited by lack of capital but a continual struggle against competitors, suppliers and debtors, and he sold his share to his partner and with his ailing wife emigrated to South Australia (perhaps influenced by the high reputation of Australian wheat), arriving in 1869.
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The necessity to work is one of the blessings that come to humanity. I would not recommend any man to retire from business simply because he has enough to live on. If he has health he is better for being employed. I remained in business till about the year 1908, and if I had known I should be as well
278:
and against
William Cavanagh. He remained a member of Parliament for Yatala, and Barossa, its replacement after redistribution, for 26 years. He led the Independent Country Party for five years until its split. He was offered ministries, but always refused, preferring the freedom of the back bench.
444:
Gilbert's wife Jane, whom he married before leaving
England, died aged 60 on 28 November 1895. He married again on 14 April 1904 to Jane Mossman "Jeanie" Simpson (nÊe Davie) (c. 1837 â 15 April 1910) but had no children by either marriage. Jeanie was the mother of architect
234:
After a year of setbacks he secured a temporary position as traveller for Giles & Smith, a large wheat buyer and flour-miller in
Waymouth Street, and before the six months' contract was over Gilbert had established a business of his own in
239:. He was then offered a position with a chaff mill in Tynte Street, North Adelaide, with an option to purchase. Under his management the production of chaff rose from three tons a week to thirty. He took in a partner,
314:
He had always been a worshipper at the North
Adelaide Baptist Church (then on LeFevre Terrace; its minister was J. L. Parsons), but took on responsibilities in the Church, the Baptist Union and Missionary
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As old age bore down on him, Gilbert relinquished his many positions, but the
Charity Commission was the last to go. He was confined to his room at his Fitzroy Terrace,
908:
497:
where disagreements occur between details in obituaries and this record of an interview (and there are several), this reference can be assumed to be the more accurate.
251:, handling 1,000 tons a month, much of it exported to Sydney. He sold the business, perhaps to Payne, who continued its management after Gilbert's death.
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He was on the
Adelaide Benevolent Society (or Benevolent and Stranger's Friend Society) for about 20 years, serving as president and vice-president.
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441:, home for many months but retained his faculties to the last and did not take to his bed until the last days of his long and useful life.
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This article is about the politician and philanthropist. For the South
Australian pastoralist and vigneron 1850â1923, see
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Gilbert received no financial consideration from any of these activities and did not believe politicians should be paid.
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310:" After his year's sojourn in England he not only returned to the chaff business; he took up a range of activities:
199:(23 February 1829 â 4 February 1919) was a politician and philanthropist in South Australia. He was a member of the
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for about 35 years and its
President 1895â1897. He was instrumental in securing the Jubilee Exhibition Hall at
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He was largely responsible for the
Constitution Amendment Act, which reduced the number of parliamentarians.
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286:(he succeeded in having it outlawed for three years), Gilbert twice contested the Central seat in the
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After losing his seat in the House of
Assembly, possibly due to his longstanding fight against the
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Adelaide Sunday School Union South Australian Sunday Schools Union
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and a director for about 40 years, including a stint as president.
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20 miles from London. He was involved in agitation against the
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for the Society in place of its site in the North Parklands.
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He was one of the Charity Commissioners for thirty years.
336:, North Adelaide, for about 30 years from its inception.
646:"Statistical record of the Legislature 1836 â 2007"
203:from 1881 to 1906, representing the electorates of
909:Members of the South Australian House of Assembly
293:When Gilbert left parliament in 1906 he was the "
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308:as I have been I would have stuck to it longer.
254:Gilbert was for twenty years a member of the
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727:"South Australian Cricketing Association"
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919:19th-century Australian philanthropists
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406:Bible Reading in State Schools Board
318:He was for twenty-five years on the
853:District expanded to three members
305:In an interview Gilbert once said "
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814:South Australian House of Assembly
268:South Australian House of Assembly
201:South Australian House of Assembly
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401:British and Foreign Bible Society
393:Blind, Deaf, and Dumb Institution
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732:The South Australian Advertiser
707:. 29 September 1911. p. 12
334:Royal Institution for the Blind
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671:"Death of Mr. William Gilbert"
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523:"The Late Mr. William Gilbert"
322:board and twenty years on the
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699:"Adelaide Benevolent Society"
679:. 8 February 1919. p. 14
624:Parliament of South Australia
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21:William Gilbert (pastoralist)
763:. 2 December 1895. p. 6
598:. 5 February 1919. p. 6
531:. 5 February 1919. p. 6
415:Adelaide Aborigines' Society
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735:. 2 October 1885. p. 7
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418:Da Costa Samaritan Hospital
360:He was also involved with:
266:Gilbert was elected to the
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95:South Australian Parliament
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755:"The Late Mrs. W. Gilbert"
559:. 7 April 1926. p. 13
486:. 29 March 1905. p. 6
347:Royal Agricultural Society
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791:. 22 June 1904. p. 1
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676:The Sydney Morning Herald
478:"The Father of the House"
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339:He was a founder of the
301:Philanthropic activities
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864:1902–1906
835:1881–1902
399:Bible Society (perhaps
390:Angas Charities Mission
372:Chamber of Manufactures
166:Expanded to three seats
622:Former members of the
590:"A Fine Career Ended"
447:Alfred Edward Simpson
409:Adelaide City Mission
16:Australian politician
219:Gilbert was born in
140:Member of Parliament
846:District abolished
387:National Park Board
369:Chamber of Commerce
324:Children's Hospital
295:Father of the House
288:Legislative Council
866:Served alongside:
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799:– via Trove.
771:– via Trove.
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715:– via Trove.
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332:He worked for the
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618:"William Gilbert"
341:Adelaide Y.M.C.A.
320:Adelaide Hospital
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57:February 23, 1829
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67:(1919-02-04)
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904:1919 deaths
899:1829 births
858:Member for
829:Member for
655:22 December
630:21 November
284:totalizator
162:Preceded by
119:Preceded by
893:Categories
551:"Obituary"
453:References
74:Occupation
53:1829-02-23
229:Corn Laws
221:Aylesbury
156:1902â1906
152:In office
113:1881â1902
109:In office
439:Medindie
434:player.
426:Personal
351:Wayville
270:seat of
262:Politics
860:Barossa
807:
602:13 July
563:15 July
315:Boards.
258:board.
249:Wasleys
215:History
209:Barossa
144:Barossa
831:Yatala
326:board.
272:Yatala
245:Gawler
205:Yatala
101:Yatala
78:Miller
649:(PDF)
432:Bowls
378:board
797:2018
769:2018
741:2012
713:2012
685:2012
657:2012
632:2022
604:2012
565:2012
537:2012
492:2012
247:and
142:for
99:for
62:Died
47:Born
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
