William Gilbert (politician)
| William Gilbert | |
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| Born | February 23, 1829 |
| Died | February 4, 1919 (aged 89) |
| Occupation | Miller |
| Member of the South Australian Parliament for Yatala |
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In office 1881–1902 |
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| Preceded by | John Darling Sr. |
| Succeeded by | seat abolished |
| Member of Parliament for Barossa |
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In office 1902–1906 |
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| Preceded by | Expanded to three seats |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Rudall |
William Gilbert (23 February 1829 – 4 February 1919) was a politician and philanthropist in South Australia. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1881 to 1906, representing the electorates of Yatala (1881-1902) and Barossa (1902-1906).
Gilbert was born in Aylesbury, 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 High Wycombe 20 miles from London. He was involved in agitation against the Corn Laws. 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.
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 North Adelaide. 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, Charles Willcox. 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 – 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 Gawler and Wasleys, 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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