BILSE, Wilhelm (1858-1911)

Mr WILHELM BILSE, the son of H. Bilse, E sq ., Director of Education in the Dukedom of Waldeck and Pyrmont, was born in Germany in the year 1858, receiving a sound and li eral education in the town of his birth. He migrated to South Africa in search of health, arriving in the year 1876 at Cape Town, and proceeded immediately to Beaufort West, one of the health resorts of Sunny South Africa. Here he remained for about three years engaged in mercantile pursuits, and thence he journeyed to Port Elizabeth, and after a brief stay there went on to Middelburg and then to the Orange River Colony, where, finding the climate agreeable and hsi health improved, determined to settle there. He spent some years in this Colony, but when the gold rush to Barberton took place he was attracted there, and was fairly fortunate in gold ventures. He then decided to take a trip to the Zambesi with a party of eighteen, and spent some time in hunting and shooting big game, which at the time was so plentiful in that pan of Africa. However, there he was unfortunately stricken clown with fever, and was taken to Delagoa Bay, where he was in hospital for some time. On somewhat recovering he went to Barberton, and from thence to Kimberley by coach. Here he was under the care of Dr. Jameson, the present Premier of Cape Colony, who after some time recommended a trip to the Continent of Europe, advice which Mr. Bilse accepted, and, after treatment in the bracing atmosphere of Switzerland, thoroughly recovered his health, and returned again to South Africa. On arrival he joined the South African Mutual Life Assurance Society, with which he has been so honourably associated for the last eighteen years. During that time he has met with considerable success, and has opened branches over the whole of the Orange River Colony. By his energy and enterprise he has worked the Mutual Society up to a high degree, and to him is due the credit of pioneering-the work in this Colony.

During his thirty years ' residence in South Africa he has gained much experience of the country and its people, for he has travelled extensively, especially in the old coach days; when a journey was attended with a good deal of hardship and privation.

Under the old regime Mr. Bilse was honoured with a seat on the Heemraad, an advisory court to the Landdrost, and was a Justice of the Peace.

In the late war he took an active part with the Western Commando, was at the batt le of Magersfontein, and fought around Kimberley districts.

Socially Mr. Bilse is a member of the Bloemfontein and Ramblers' Clubs. He is also a member of the Rising Star Lodge.

He married Miss Jacobsz, of Harrismith, and resides at his beautiful home, "Friedenheim," Margraff Street.

Source: Men of the Times, published by The Transvaal Publishing Company, Johannesburg, Cape Town & London, printed by Eyre and Spottiswood, His Majesty’s Printers, 1906, p.527