James Crabb Verco
James Crabb Verco 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, in company with Philip Santo, Robert Torrens, and George, younger brother of John Morphett.He joined the gold rush to Victoria with Philip Santo and Thomas Fisher.
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 South Australian Insurance Company, and the failed Commercial Bank of South Australia.
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 West Adelaide for the term 1862–1865, with Emanuel Solomon as his colleague.Family
James Crabb Verco married Ann Cooke, a mine captain's daughter from Harrowbarrow, Cornwall. They were married in Plymouth, Devon in 1840. Their children include:- William James Verco married Margaret Rogers on 21 December 1866. He was a flour miller of Balaklava.
- John Verco married Caroline Blissett Webb on 29 January 1876; lived Balaklava, then Malvern.
- Richard Verco married Rebecca Armour on 14 January 1875, lived at Hewett Avenue, Rose Park.
- Sir Joseph Cooke Verco was a medical practitioner and conchologist of North Terrace, Adelaide, he married Mary Isabella Mills on 13 April 1911
- Thomas Benjamin Verco married Alice Armour on 27 May 1875. He was a flour miller then member of the Adelaide Stock Exchange. Hilda Anne Verco, who married Rev. James E. Thomas on 21 November 1906, was a daughter.