William Gilbert (pastoralist)
William Gilbert | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date South Australia |
| Died | March 29, 1923 (aged 72) North Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, winemaker |
| Known for | Pastoral leases at Owen Springs Station; winemaking at Pewsey Vale |
William Gilbert (12 October 1850 – 29 March 1923) was a prominent pastoralist and winemaker based in South Australia.
He was the sole male offspring of Joseph Gilbert (1800–1881) of Pewsey Vale near Lyndoch and his wife Anna, née Browne (1812–1873). Gilbert received his education at St Peter's College in Adelaide before matriculating at Cambridge University in 1864.
In 1872, Gilbert collaborated with Ted Bagot and James Churchill-Smith to drive a herd of 1,000 cattle from Adelaide to the MacDonnell Ranges. There, he secured three pastoral leases centered around Owen Springs Station, while Edward Meade Bagot held two additional leases at Emily Gap and Undoolya Stations. This significant droving expedition is recognized as an important event in Australia's pastoral heritage. Gilbert took charge of Owen Springs from 1873 and, by 1875, was managing all properties owned by his father.
Following his father's passing, Gilbert divested Owen Springs, the 32,000-acre freehold Mount Bryan property, and the Oriecowe run on Yorke Peninsula to concentrate on enhancing livestock quality at Pewsey Vale. His wool production commanded record prices, and although winemaking was reportedly a secondary pursuit, he achieved production volumes reaching up to 17,000 imperial gallons in a single year.
Shortly before his death in North Adelaide, he transferred ownership of the Wongalere estate near Williamstown to his son William, who subsequently developed its vineyard. William junior sold Pewsey Vale soon after inheriting it to meet probate tax obligations.
Other interests
In 1894, he became a member of the board of governors at St Peter's College.
He was among the founding directors of Bagot Shakes & Lewis, established in 1888 through the amalgamation of E. M. Bagot & Co and Shakes & Lewis.
Family
On 22 July 1879, he wed Mary Young Clindening (1854–1939), daughter of Dr. William Talbot Clindening MRCS. Their eleven children included:
- Henry Gilbert (1880–1947), a distinguished medical doctor in North Adelaide affiliated with the Adelaide Children's Hospital and St Mark's College
- Joseph (1884–1915), an engineer employed by Westinghouse in Manchester; enlisted in the Territorial Army in 1914 and died during the Gallipoli operations
- William (born 1887), who married Catherine Pauline Browne in 1917
- Thomas (1889–1938)
- John Driffield Gilbert (1893–1917), served as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps's 56th Squadron; killed near Ypres
Several other children either died young or have limited historical documentation.