James Crabb Verco Explained

James Crabb Verco (1814 – 2 February 1891) was an early settler in the colony of South Australia, builder, businessman and parliamentarian. He was the father of Joseph Cooke Verco.

History

Verco left his home town Callington, Cornwall for South Australia, arriving on the Brightman in December, 1840,^[1] in company with Philip Santo, Robert Torrens, and George, younger brother of John Morphett.^[2]

He joined the gold rush to Victoria with Philip Santo and Thomas Fisher.^[3]

He served on the City Council for many years, was appointed Justice of the Peace, was for many years Chairman of the Imperial Building Society, was a Director of the South Australian Insurance Company, and the failed Commercial Bank of South Australia.

He was for many years an active member of the Church of Christ in Kermode Street, North Adelaide.

Politics

He was elected to the seat of West Adelaide for the term 1862–1865, with Emanuel Solomon as his colleague.^[4]

Family

James Crabb Verco married Ann Cooke (1811 – 18 June 1881), a mine captain's daughter from Harrowbarrow, Cornwall. They were married in Plymouth, Devon in 1840. Their children include:

• William James Verco (1842 – 12 December 1891) married (Elizabeth) Margaret Rogers (died 1933) on 21 December 1866. He was a flour miller of Balaklava.^[5]

• Dr. William Alfred Verco (4 November 1867 – 29 April 1942) married Agnes May Porter (died 1930) in 1896. He was prize-winning student at Prince Alfred College and Adelaide University.^[6] The Verco Building at 178-179 North Terrace, Adelaide was built and named for him.

• Nellie Cosford Verco (1901–1965) married Hew O'Halloran Giles (–1987) on 27 October 1920. He was a great-grandson of William Giles

• Geoffrey O'Halloran Giles MHA, MHR (27 June 1923 – 18 December 1990)
• John Verco (1848–1933) married Caroline Blissett Webb on 29 January 1876; lived Balaklava, then Malvern.
• Richard Verco (c. 1849 – 7 April 1929) married Rebecca Armour (24 September 1852 Adelaide – 22 December 1924)^[7] on 14 January 1875, lived at Hewett Avenue, Rose Park.^[8]
• Sir Joseph Cooke Verco (1 August 1851 – 26 July 1933) was a medical practitioner and conchologist of North Terrace, Adelaide, he married Mary Isabella Mills on 13 April 1911
• Thomas Benjamin Verco (30 April 1853 – 2 October 1935) married Alice Armour^[7] (1 March 1855 Adelaide – 15 November 1935) on 27 May 1875. He was a flour miller then member of the Adelaide Stock Exchange.^[9] Hilda Anne Verco (born 18 March 1878), who married Rev. James E. Thomas on 21 November 1906,^[10] was a daughter.

Notes and References

1. News: Death of Mr. J. C. Verco . . 3 February 1891 . 14 September 2014 . 5 . Trove.
2. News: Concerning People . . 12 May 1902 . 14 September 2014 . 5 . Trove.
3. News: Death of a Pioneer . . 15 July 1897 . 14 September 2014 . 4 . Trove.
4. 3969 . James Crabb Verco . yes . 19 December 2022.
5. News: Death of Wm James Verco . . 14 December 1891 . 17 July 2020 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: William Alfred Verco, M.B., B.S. . . 1 December 1890 . 4 April 2018 . 2 . Trove.
7. Rebecca and Alice Armour being the daughters of Amos Armour and Ellison Armour (née Proctor)
   • Richard Verco – Rebecca Armour News: Family Notices . . 16 January 1875 . 27 March 2016 . 4 . Trove.
   • Thomas Benjamin Verco – Alice Armour News: Family Notices . . 29 May 1875 . 27 March 2016 . 2 . Trove.
8. News: Richard Verco Dead . . 8 April 1929 . 27 March 2016 . 11 . Trove.
9. News: Obituary (Thomas Benjamin Verco). . 31 October 1935 . 27 March 2016 . 46 . Trove.
10. News: Family Notices . . LXXI . 18,752 . South Australia . 19 December 1906 . 25 July 2024 . 6 . National Library of Australia.