James Crabb Verco

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 Hindmarsh for the term 1862–1865, with Emanuel Solomon as his colleague.

Family

He married Ann Cooke (1811 – 18 June 1881) in England. Their children included

• Eldest son William James Verco (1842–1891) married Margaret Rogers on 21 December 1866. He was a flour miller of Balaklava.
• John Verco (1848–1933) married Caroline Blissett Webb on 29 January 1876; lived Balaklava, then Malvern.
• Third son Richard Verco (ca.1849 – 7 April 1929) married Rebecca Armour (24 September 1852 Adelaide – 22 December 1924)^[4] on 14 January 1875, lived at Hewett Avenue, Rose Park.^[5]
• 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
• Youngest son Thomas Benjamin Verco (30 April 1853 – 2 October 1935) married Alice Armour^[4] (1 March 1855 Adelaide – ) on 27 May 1875. He was a flour miller then member of the Adelaide Stock Exchange.^[6]

References

1. "Death of Mr. J. C. Verco". South Australian Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 3 February 1891. p. 5. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
2. "Concerning People". The Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 12 May 1902. p. 5. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
3. "Death of a Pioneer". South Australian Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1897. p. 4. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
4. Rebecca and Alice Armour being the daughters of Amos Armour and Ellison Armour (nee Proctor)
   • Richard Verco – Rebecca Armour "Family Notices". South Australian Register. XL, (8790). South Australia. 16 January 1875. p. 4. Retrieved 27 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
   • Thomas Benjamin Verco – Alice Armour "Family Notices". The South Australian Advertiser. South Australia. 29 May 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 27 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "MR. RICHARD VERCO DEAD". News. XII, (1,787). South Australia. 8 April 1929. p. 11 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved 27 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "OBITUARY (Thomas Benjamin Verco)". Chronicle. LXXVIII, (4,120). South Australia. 31 October 1935. p. 46. Retrieved 27 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.