G. Wood, Son & Co.


G. Wood, Son & Co. was a major wholesale grocery business founded in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia in 1876.

History

The company had its origin in a grocery store established by Gilbert Wood in Angas Street around 1855. He took on James Gartrell as clerk, then in 1876 established G. Wood, Son & Co. as a partnership of himself, his son Peter Wood, and Gartrell. Shortly after the death of Gilbert Wood in September 1886, South Australia experienced a depression brought about by a succession of poor seasons, the collapse of the Commercial Bank of South Australia and the Town and Country Bank. Many businesses folded but by hard work and perseverance they survived the crisis. After that the business became increasingly prosperous, and new and substantial premises were erected on North Terrace. Wood and Gartrell thereupon determined that they would thenceforth devote a percentage of their profits to charities and good works, considering they owed their good fortune to God.

Gilbert Wood

Gilbert Williamson Wood JP was the founder of G. Wood, Son & Co., wholesale grocers in the early days of the colony of South Australia.

History

Wood was born in Muckle Roe in the Shetland Islands and came out to Australia as chief mate on the brig Seaton out of Aberdeen. His brother Gifford commanded the ship. He left the ship in Melbourne and captained the schooner Grenada, plying between the various colonies at the time of the Victorian gold rush. Around 1855 he opened a grocery store in Angas Street, Adelaide, which was a success, and after a few years moved his operations to Rundle Street.
In 1876 he founded the company G. Wood, Son & Co. with his son Peter and James Gartrell, for many years his chief clerk, with premises at 198 Rundle Street and Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.
He died of a heart attack after a holiday in England; his will was proved at £25,770.

Other interests

He was for 17 years a deacon of Clayton Congregational Church, Kensington.

Family

He married Ann Fraser, born Muckle Roe, Shetland Islands ; they had seven daughters and four sons, four of whom died in infancy. They lived at "Seaton Cottage", Magill Road, North Kensington:
Peter Wood, eldest son of Gilbert Wood, followed his father as head of G. Wood, Son and Co.

History

Peter was born in Adelaide, and after leaving school joined his father's company, to which he was admitted as partner shortly after he turned 21. On the death of his father, Peter, who had shown remarkable business acumen and ability, took over the management of the business with his James Gartrell. He built a new and imposing premises on North Terrace and in 1920 turned the private partnership into a limited liability company. He was particularly successful in forging business links with fruit growers in Renmark and along the River Murray.

Other interests

Peter Wood followed his father in religious observances and philanthropic interests. He was senior deacon of the Clayton Church and superintendent of its Sunday School for many years, and associated in other works of that Congregationalist Church alongside Sir Edwin Smith.
He took a particular interest in the victims of the Loch Sloy shipwreck, and in the Citizens' Relief Committee formed in conjunction with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. He was on numerous boards and committees associated with the Boys' Brigade, the City Mission, and Our Boys' Institute, Boy Scouts Association, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., Minda Home, Deaf and Dumb Institution, the Zoological Gardens and the Adelaide Workmen's Homes, Incorporated. He was associated with the town planning movement, Vice-president of the Commonwealth Club and an active member of the Adelaide Caledonian Society. He was a member of the Burnside District Council for 34 years, and its Chairman for the last five. He was a member of the Liberal Union and urged to stand for Parliament.
He was a director of the Victorian Insurance Company, Silver & Co., and Walton's Limited.
He was a first-rate shot and expert horse rider. He raised Jersey cattle and was successful in the ring at the Royal Adelaide Show. One of his cows, Maid of Tarraganda, broke the State record for milk production. He had a private zoo at his beautiful home at Burnside, including a fine herd of deer, which he purchased from William Gilbert of Pewsey Vale.

Family

Peter Wood married Alice Maud Johnson on 25 March 1882. Their children included:
James Gartrell was a founder of G. Wood, Son & Co.

History

Gartrell was born in Goldsithney, Cornwall on December 1, 1846, son of John and Elizabeth and left with his parents for South Australia in the ship John Murray, arriving in 1848. His father first worked at the Burra copper mines, then after three years moved to Adelaide. He did not survive long, dying around 1853. James was educated at Thomas Burgan's school in Gilles Street, and at the age of 16 he entered the law office of, the huge wholesale grocery business, with connections throughout Australia.

Interests

He was for many years been a generous supporter and trustee of the Kent Town Methodist Church. Around 1913 that church founded a new church at Rose Park, and Gartrell paid for the pipe organ and contributed generously to its building, which was named the Gartrell Memorial Church in his honour.
He was a supporter of Minda Home, the Royal Institution for the Blind, the Children's Hospital, the Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers' Friend Society.
He was an active member of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce, and its president in 1900–1901 and 1905–1908. He was treasurer of the Methodist Ladies' College, a member of the committee of Prince Alfred College, vice-president of the Royal Institution for the Blind, and president of the Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers' Friend Society. He took an active interest in the Memorial Hospital.

Family

He married Sarah Noble Lawrence ; they lived at "Fernilee", Greenhill Road, Burnside.