Alexander Gilpin

History

Alexander Gilpin was a Director of the Carroll Co. in 1886, a Director of the Victoria United Co., Queen’s Jubilee Co., South Sulieman Co., Star of the East Co., Gay's Freehold Co., North Plateau Co., South Star Co., Sebastopol Star Co., Sebastopol Plateau Co. and the Central Plateau Co. and Chairman of the South Plateau Co. and the Northern Star Co. in 1887.

Obituary

Mr. Alexander Gilpin, J.P. a well-known mining investor of Ballarat, died at Malvern on Wednesday, from dropsy; surpervening on Bright's disease and, pneumonia. The deceased, who was 64 years of age, and was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, arrived in Victoria in 1864, and was subsequently engaged in agricultural work at Kilmore, Beechworth, Wood's Point and other districts. He next proceeded to Bendigo, where he arrived in 1867, and found employment as a miner. While thus engaged Mr. Gilpin invested his savings in shares in local companies, and his enterprise was rewarded with great success. At one time he was very wealthy, his real and personal estate being valued at about £100,000. On moving to Ballarat, our local correspondent states, the deceased gentleman became largely interested in the mining industry on the Sebastopol Plateau, and was one of the principal shareholders in the famous Star of the East Company, in which he was a life director, in accordance with the agreement with the Guiding Star Proprietary Company, in whose lease: the Star of the East; Company operates. During his connection with the Star of the East dividends totalling £284,000 were distributed. For along while he held the bulk of the shares in the Sebastopol Plateau No. 1 Company, into which he paid in calls no less than £10,000 without, receiving a penny in return. Subsequent, however, to his relinquishing his interest in the mine the company distributed £9600 in dividends, but it has since been a non-paying concern. He was also a lead ing spirit in the New Kohinoor, South Star, South Star Extended and Central Plateau companies. The fact, however, that he held his interests as an investor, and not as a speculator, brought about his financial failure, as he died a poor man. De ceased was a member of the Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo Stock exchanges. He was twice married, and his family , included two sons, one of whom, Lieutenant; Alexander G. Gilpin, was killed in action in the: South African war. The remains of deceased, who was a brother of Mr. R. Gilpin, legal - manager, of Melbourne, were interred in Ballarat.

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--Beth Kicinski 11:20, 23 February 2015 (AEDT)