Charles Danford WILLSON (1850-1936)

CHARLES DENFORD [sic] WILLSON, agriculturist and grazier, "The Beach," Hog Bay, is the eldest surviving son of the late Mr. Thos. Willson, of "Lincoln Cottage," Hog Bay, Kangaroo Island, and was born in the year 1850, off the Cape of Good Hope. While still a very young infant he was brought to South Australia by his parents in the sailing vessel “Frances Ridley,” and after a short stay in North Adelaide the family proceeded to Yankalilla, where his father took up considerable property and established the first store in the township, later on combining wheat-buying with the other branches of his business. The gentleman under review completed his education at St. Peter's College, and in 1864 came to Kangaroo Island, where his father took up about fifty miles of country under leasehold. Subsequently, when the land was surveyed, he purchased 640 acres, the extent then allowed in one holding by the Government, and, though experiencing great drawback through the necessities of clearing which presented considerable difficulty, was ultimately very successful in his grazing and farming operations. He now holds 2,000 acres of freehold and 1,200 acres of leasehold property, and runs about 1,400 sheep of a fine comeback variety. Latterly he has given but little attention to agriculture, confining his energies almost entirely to sheep-raising.

Mr. Willson has identified himself with public affairs to some extent, following in this respect in the footsteps of his father, who served fourteen years as Chairman of the Yankalilla Council, and ten years as a member of the Dudley Council on Kangaroo Island. The gentleman under review occupied the chair of the latter body for four years, and in other ways has used his influence for the welfare of the district in which he resides.

It is interesting to note that he has in his possession some valuable relics of English silver plate, manufactured over a century ago, which now form a valuable relic of a past era. In 1874 he married Frances Zuleine, second daughter of the late Mr. William Sealy, of Adelaide, and has seven sons and five daughters.

- Cyclopedia of South Australia 1909, pp.1023-1024.