After careful preparation in the public schools of his native State, Connecticut, and at the Rhode Island State College, Mr. Wilcox, in 1913, entered the teaching profession. For the first five years he was connected with schools in Connecticut, but since 1919 he has been identified with the public schools system of South Kingstown, first as principal of the high school and, during the last few years, as superintendent of schools. To an unusual degree he enjoys the respect and confidence alike of students, teachers and parents, his popularity being the natural result of his ability and of his personality. He is a member of several educational, fraternal, and other organizations, and also takes an active interest in religious activities.
Erroll K. Wilcox was born at Norwich, Connecticut, July 26, 1891, a son of William B. and Clara (Kenyon) Wilcox. His father, a native of Rhode Island, was a successful contractor and builder until his death. Mr. Wilcox’s mother is a native of Hillside, Rhode Island. Having received his early education in the grade schools of his native town, Mr. Wilcox later attended the Norwich Free Academy and finally completed his education at the Rhode Island State College, Kingston, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1913. Immediately after leaving college he became a teacher in the New London, Connecticut, Vocational School, where he remained from 1913 until 1917. Next he served as vice-principal of the Stonington, Connecticut, High School, during 1917-18. In 1919 he was appointed principal of the South Kingstown High School, in which capacity he continued to serve until 1927, making such a fine record that in that year he was appointed superintendent of public schools of South Kingstown, a position he has continued to hold since then. Under his very able direction the schools of South Kingstown have greatly increased in usefulness and efficiency and have considerably extended their influence. Mr. Wilcox is a member of the National Education Association, the Rhode Island Superintendents’ Association, and the New England Superintendents’ Association. He also belongs to Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, to the Hope Valley Masonic Club, and to Theta Chi Fraternity. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliation is with the Congregational Church. He is fond of outdoor life and especially of motoring.
Mr. Wilcox married (first), in 1913, Ethel P. Henderson, a native of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, who died in 1921. He married (second), in 1928, Helen T. Sample, a native of Nova Scotia, Canada. By his first marriage he is the father of three children: Erroll K., Jr., William James, and Phillip D.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.