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 Commercial Bank of South Australia, and the South Australian Insurance Company.

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 (ca.1852 – 22 December 1924) on 14 January 1875, lived at Hewett Avenue, Rose Park.
• Sir Joseph Cooke Verco (1 August 1851 – 26 July 1933) was a medical practitioner and conchologist of North Terrace, Adelaide.
• Youngest son Thomas Benjamin Verco (30 April 1853 – 2 October 2, 1935) married Alice Armour on 27 May 1875. He was a flour miller then member of the Adelaide Stock Exchange.

References