This memorial website was created in the memory of
John (Juan) Wilcox, born
in Cardigan
on the 5th May 1866
and passed away on the 2nd November 1926, 60 years of age.
John Wilcox worked for the All-American Telegraph Co. and was constantly travelng from Galveston to Lima, until he was finally transferred to Lima. His primary job was to lay down the telegraph cable from Peru to Argentina. He met his wife-to-be, Margarita Dominguez-Salas, when the company had its offices in the port of Callao [in Spanish a double L is pronounced like a Y, as kaa-yaw], where she lived. Later the offices were moved to Barranco. For this reason, the terraces where the Cable was located were named "Malecon de los Ingleses" [in Lima, the word "malecon" is used for a walk or the area that follows the edge of the cliffs, and "los ingleses" means "the British", in other words, "the British Terraces"]. The old trolley car used to pass in front of the offices on its way to Chorrillos about a block beyond the park. On one side, the park looks onto Chorrillos Ave. and on the other onto Grau Ave. This is why when John and Margarita were married, they first lived in the Callao and later in Barranco.
In 1886 John's family resided at 1 William Street, Cwmbwria. At the age of 20, John began his apprenticeship on the 625-ton vessel Marie Jose of Cronwall, owned by John Jose & Co. of Falmouth. Under Capt. Williams, he set off on his first journey. The Marie Jose sailed between Swansea and the west coast of South America. Later, John signed on with the Stracathro on which he rounded Cape Horn on several occasions. Thinking to get a better position, in 1887 he joined the Pacific Steam Navigation Co., working mostly in the Panama Canal. He later spent eight years working for a company called The West Coast Cable (which became the All-American Telegraph Co.) as a Cable Jointer/Engineer laying submarine and land cables.
He will be remembered by his family as an being innovative and meticulous.
The following candles have been lit by visitors to the online memorial of John Wilcox.
We invite you to light your own candle at this memorial by entering your name below and clicking 'Light Candle'.
Francisco Wilcox lit this candle on 8 Sep 2007
in memory of John Wilcox
siddh lit this candle on 28 Jul 2007
in memory of John Wilcox
special man lit this candle on 18 May 2006
in memory of John Wilcox