George Hoskins Wills (1830-1901)

Mr. George Hoskins Wills, of Brooklyn, Whitchurch, passed away at his residence on Monday afternoon. Mr. Wills, who was one of the oldest shipowners and shipbrokers of the port., came to Cardiff from South Brent, South Devon, his native place. in the year 1858. For some years he was connected with Messrs. David Davis and Sons, colliery owners, and in 1864 entered into partnership with Messrs. Tellefsen and Hoist as shipbrokers and coal exporters. The partnership was dissolved in 1874. but Mr. Wills and Mr. Tellefsen kept on their business until 1890. when another rearrangement took place, and the deceased was joined by his two sons and Mr. J. N. Kestell. In 18J2 Mr. Wills retired from the firm, and since then the business has been carried on by his two sons, Mr. George Henry and Mr. Francis Richard Alan Wills. The deceased gentleman was an ex-president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce and also of the Shipowners' Association. Some years ago he was chairman of the local branch of the Shipping Federation, and was aim for many years a member of the Barry Pilotage Board. In 1695 Mr. Wills took up his residence at Whitchurch, and attended regularly the services at the Wesleyan Church. For three years, up to last December, he was a member of the Whitchurch School Board, but afterwards he did not seek re-election. The deceased was. apparently, in his usual health on Sunday, and attended the morning service at the Wesleyan Church. He was however, taken ill on Monday morning about nine o'clock, and. becoming unconscious, peacefully passed away at about 5.30.

WEEKLY MAIL - 4th May 1901

Source: National Library of Wales