William Henry Wilks (1863? - 1940), by Swiss Studios, 1900s, courtesy of National Library of Australia. nla.pic-an23515825. .Image Details

WILKS, WILLIAM HENRY (1863?-1940), fuel merchant, politician and public servant, was born in Sydney, son of Joseph Henry Wilks, a sea-captain from Bristol, England, and his native-born wife Susannah (d.1863), née Harris. After attending Balmain Public School, he was associated with W. M. Hughes in various odd-job enterprises before setting up a wood and coal yard at Balmain. President of the New South Wales Literary and Debating Societies' Union for two years, Wilks joined the Free Trade Association of New South Wales and in 1887 was elected to its council.

A Freemason from an early age, in 1888 he was grand master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Having entered politics, he became associated with the Loyal Orange Institution of New South Wales. His 'strong democratic views' led him ...

Read more at the source website

Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography