Obituaries Australia

William Wilson, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 October 1920

By the death of Mr. William Wilson, which occurred at his private residence, Thornbury, on 4th September, Victoria has lost a colonist of 66 years. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1833, he emigrated to Victoria at the age of 21, arriving at Portland with his young wife in 1854. The lure of the goldfields was at that time very strong, and the young couple overlanded to Ballarat, and followed the diggings with varying success for about six years, when they again returned to the Western District. In 1860 Mr. Wilson became associated with the late William Rutledge, of Farnham Park, and Weeronggurt, Warrnambool, and acted as manager for these estates for close on 30 years. During this period, by his practical foresight and ability, he built up the famous Weeronggurt flock of stud Lincolns, which eventually became a household word throughout Victoria and New South Wales for their size, constitution, and general all-round excellence.

In 1890 he purchased a property in Gippsland, and subsequently removed to another property near Whittlesea. For the past ten years he had been living privately at Thornbury, and passed away at the great age of 87 after a strenuous life of great endeavour. His wife predeceased him many years ago. He leaves three daughters and five sons. All his sons are connected with pastoral pursuits. Mr. A. Wilson is manager of Golf Hill, Mortlake, Vic., Mr. W. Wilson is chief pastoral inspector in Queensland for the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Mr. R. G. Wilson has a property of his own in the Mallee, Mr. J. A. Wilson is manager of Kia Ora, Mansfield, Vic., and Mr. J. H. Wilson is manager of the stock and property department for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited, Brisbane.