Henry Jones-Davies (farmer)

Henry Jones-Davies (2 January 1870 - 16 June 1955) was a Carmarthenshire farmer who became active in public life and a pioneer of agricultiral co-operation.[1]

Jones-Davies was born at Bremenda, Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire, Wales, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Davies and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Carmarthen.[1]

Local government

Thomas Davies of Bremenda was involved in local governnment, though unlike his son his politics were Conservative. In 1889 he was elected as the first county councillor for Llanarthney, defeating the Liberal candidate, the Rev D.S. Davies and another Conservative, the Rev R.G. Lawrence of Middleton Hall.[2] However, some months later he was involved in a fatal accident after falling off his horse.[3] The vacancy was subsequently filled by the Rev R.G. Lawrence, the unsuccessful Conservative candidate the previous year, who wa returned unopposed.[4]

In February 1892 it was announced that Jones-Davies would contest his father's old seat against R.G. Lawrence.[5] He was elected by a comfortable majority.[6]

Jones-Davies was re-elected unopposed in 1895, 1898, 1901 and 1904. In 1907 he faced a significant challenge from David Farr-Davies, a senior colliery official, but held on by a relatively small majority.

In 1894 he became the first chairman of the local parish council at 22.[1]

Parliamentary aspirations

In 1910, he was narrowly defeated by John Hinds in his bid to be the Liberal candidate for West Carmarthenshire.[7]

Pioneer of the Co-operative Movement

In 1902, as chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, Jones-Davies acted as secretary of a deputation from the three counties of south west Wales who visited Ireland to witness the agricultural cooperation societies already established there. He was a founder member of the Carmarthenshire Farmers' Co-operation Society the following year.[1] He remained active in the movement for the rest of his life.

Personal life

Jones-Davies was married, in 1903, to Winifred Anna Ellis, sister of the late Liberal politician Tom Ellis. He died in 1955.

His son, Tommy Jones-Davies, became a prominent surgeon who also played rugby union for Wales and the British Lions

References
  1. Elis, Megan. "Henry Jones-Davies (1870-1955), farmer and pioneer of agricultural co-operation". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. "County Councils. The Carmarthenshire Elections". Carmarthen Journal. 1 February 1889. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  3. "Llanarthney". Carmarthen Journal. 30 August 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  4. "Llanddarog". Carmarthen Journal. 11 October 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  5. "Carmarthen District". South Wales Daily News. 6 February 1892. p. 6. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  6. "The County Council Elections. March 1892". Carmarthen Journal. 11 March 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  7. "The Fight for West Wales. West Carmarthenshire". Carmarthen Journal. 25 November 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 21 October 2020.


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