John William Evans (Welsh politician)

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John William Evans (1870-1906) was a Liberal politician and public figure in Aberdare, South Wales.

Aberdare town in Wales

Aberdare is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and Cynon. The population at the 2011 census was 31,705. Aberdare is 4 miles (6 km) south-west of Merthyr Tydfil, 20 miles (32 km) north-west of Cardiff and 22 miles (35 km) east-north-east of Swansea. During the 19th century it became a thriving industrial settlement, which was also notable for the vitality of its cultural life and as an important publishing centre.

South Wales Region of Wales

South Wales is the region of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, mid Wales to the north, and west Wales to the west. With an estimated population of around 2.2 million, which is almost three-quarters of the whole of Wales, Cardiff has approximately 400,000, Swansea has approximately 250,000 and Newport has 150,000. The region is loosely defined, but it is generally considered to include the historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, extending westwards to include Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. In the western extent, from Swansea westwards, local people would probably recognise that they lived in both south Wales and west Wales. The Brecon Beacons national park covers about a third of South Wales, containing Pen y Fan, the highest British mountain south of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia.

Contents

Evans was born in Hirwaun in 1870. [1] His father Evan J. Evans, was a prosperous business man in Hirwaun, and a deacon at Tabernacle Congregational Chapel, and one of the founders of the church. [1] He was educated locally and at St. Andrew's College, Swansea, and the Independent College, Taunton. [1] He entered the legal profession, and was articled to Mr. Coe, of Cardiff, before setting up a successful practice at Aberdare. [1] He was married with one son.

Hirwaun village in Wales

Hirwaun is a village and community at the north end of the Cynon Valley in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales. It is 4 miles (6 km) NW of the town of Aberdare, and comes under the Aberdare post town. At the 2001 census, Hirwaun had a population of 4,851. increasing at the 2011 census to 4,990. The village is on the Heads of the Valleys Road and at the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Public life

When only 21 years of age, Evans was selected a member of the Merthyr Board of Guardians. It was said that he was at the time the youngest guardian in the United Kingdom. [1]

In late 1894 he unsuccessfully sought election to the Aberdare Urban District Council but shortly afterwards, in 1895 he was elected to Glamorgan County Council to represent the Aberdare Town Ward, and in 1898 was made an alderman. In 1900 he was elected to the Aberdare Urban District Council, a position which he held without opposition until his retirement two months before his death

1894 Aberdare Urban District Council election

The first election to the Aberdare Urban District Council was held in December 1894. It was followed by the 1896 election.

The third election to Glamorgan County Council election was held on 4 March 1895. It was preceded by the 1892 election and followed by the 1898 election.

It was said that 'his presence at the meetings of municipal bodies would invariably banish dulness and monotony, for he was extremely humorous. His ready wit and repartee was as refreshing as a summer shower on a parched desert, being of a social disposition, he was most pleasant and genial in conversation, and beloved by everybody.' [1]

Death

Evnas died in 1906 at the early age of 36. He was buried at Penderyn Churchyard. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Death of Alderman J.W. Evans, Hirwaun". Aberdare Leader. 9 June 1906. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
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