USA > Iowa > Howard County > Lime Springs > History of the Welsh in Minnesota, Foreston and Lime Springs, Ia. gathered by the old settlers > Part 29
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WILLIAMS, EBENEZER B .- Born March 6, 1847, at Turin, Lewis county, N. Y. His parents were: John T. Williams, born in 1809 in Denbighshire Wales, and Hannah, whose maiden name was Jones, born in 1813 in Rhadnorshire. Wales. The father emigrated to America in 1838 and the mother in 1817. They were married at Reisen, N. Y., in 1842. In 1869 the family removed to Waukegan, Ill., and en- gaged in farming. Soon after settling in Illinois, E. B. Wil- liams commenced to operate a cheese factory, which occupa- tion he followed for five years. At Waukegan, in 1874, he married Miss Augusta Fuller, and in 1875 removed to Lan- sing, Mower county, Minn., where he still resides on his large and valuable dairy farm of 200 acres. He has owned and operated in connection with his farm a cheese factory for the past fourteen years. May 15, 1890, he was appointed on the State Dairy and Food commission, and re-appointed in 1893 and again in 1895. His home has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living: Addison, Mary E. and Augustus S.
WILLIAMS, EVAN -- Born near Lledrod, Cardiganshire, Wales. Emigrated to the vicinity of Horeb, Jackson county, O., in 1837. In a few years he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Moses Morgan. She died in 1851, at the age of 31 years. Ile married again, a Miss Mary Williams, Pon Rhewl, and they came to Minnesota with the Jackson colony and settled in Judson. He was elected an elder of Carmel church and served with great fidelity. He died February S. 1881, and was buried in Minneopa cemetery. His only sur- viving son is Wm. E. Williams ( Gwilym ), of Minneapolis.
WILLIAMS, GRIFFITH-Born at Dyfryn-ar-dydwu. Mer- ionethshire, Wales, November 23, 1822. Son of William and Jane (Williams) Roberts. In 1845 he married Miss Catherine
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Jones, daughter of John and Ann Jones, of Cwm-mynach, Merionethshire. He learned the stone mason trade from his father and soon became quite proficient therein. In the spring of 1848 he emigrated to Holland Patent, N. Y., and thence to Trenton, N. Y., where he resided for seven years. In October, 1865, he came to Mankato, Minn., where for many years he followed his usual occupation of stone mason and contractor, and many of the principal buildings of Man- kato are the product of his skill, such as the Normal, Union, Pleasant Grove and Franklin school houses, the Citizens Na- tional bank building, and many others. For twenty years he contracted the stone work on nearly all the principal bridges of Blue Earth county. He also superintended for the county the erection of the new Blue Earth county court house. In 1872 he removed to his farm in the town of Judson, where he resided until November, 1894, when he returned to Mankato and purchased there a pleasant home. His children are: Mrs. Jane McDonald, of Mankato ; Mrs. Catherine Willis, of Omaha ; Bennet Williams, of Judson ; Mrs. Annie Evans, wife of Edward Evans, of South Bend.
WILLIAMS, MR. AND MRS. HUGH W .- Mr. Williams was born at Llandyrno, Denbighshire, Wales, in 1824. Emi- grated to America in 1850 and located near Racine, Wis., where in 1856 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Owen and Mary Herbert. Mrs. Williams was born at Carno, near Llanbrynmair, Montgomeryshire, in 1830, and came with her parents to Racine in 1851. In June, 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liams removed to South Bend, Minn., and located on the farm still owned by the family near the village. Mr. Williams died September 10, 1890, leaving surviving his good wife and four children: Wm. H., lawyer at St. Paul ; John W .; Dan- iel ; Mrs. Jennie Crane ; and Mrs. Mary Wigley, all of Blue Earth county. Ile was an honest, conscientious, religions man. WILLIAMS, JOHN -Son of David J. Williams, born at Bradford, Pa., March 20, 1840. Came with his parents to Nicollet county in June, 1855. Enlisted in Company I, Sixth Minnesota, August 14, 1862, and served faithfully with his regiment until his death, which occurred September 2, 1864, at Helena, Ark. He was a young man of excellent character and a brave soldier.
. WILLIAMS, REV. JOHN D. Born at Llanllyfni, Carnar- narvonshire, Wales, September 25, 1814. He attended the vil- lage school when a boy, and finished his education at Holt
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Academy, Wrexham. When a young man he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. Emigrated to America in 1845 and worked at his trade for a short time at Waukesha, Wis. He then bought a farm at Proscairon, Wis., and in 1847 mar- ried Mrs. Mary Hughes, sister of the late Thos. H. Roberts. In 1866 he removed with his family to Foreston, Ia., where he died October 5. 1887. Mr. Williams, like most Welshmen, was brought up religiously from his youth. As he had more than ordinary ability and was well versed in the Scriptures and studious, he was invited by the C. M. church to the min- istry, and began preaching in 1857 and continued to proclaim the Good Tidings thereafter with much faithfulness and ac- ceptance until the end. He was a man of rugged strength physically, mentally and spiritually. He read much of the best books and had a retentive memory and an excellent judg- ment of the truth. His stepson, Rev. Robert W. Hughes, is in the Congregational ministry, his son, Rev. Daniel Williams, is in the Presbyterian ministry, and his son, Wm. W. Williams, is a member of the lowa Legislature.
WILLIAMS, JOHN FLETCHER Was a descendant in the seventh generation of John Williams of Glamorgan- shire, Wales, who advanced funds to Oliver Cromwell in the conquest of Ireland in 1649, and who, after the subjugation of that island received, from the Protector, in return for the above advance, and possibly for military services, a grant of lands and settled on the same. This was a portion of the estate subsequently known as "The Groves" in Monaghan county, where the descendants of the Williams family resided for nearly 200 years. Samuel Williams, the father of John Fletcher, was born at Carlisle, Pa., October 16, 1786 and died in Cincinnati, O., February 3, 1850. J. Fletcher was born in Cincinnati September 25, 1834. He was educated at Wood- ward College in that city and subsequently at the Ohio Wes- leyan University, from which institution he graduated in the scientific department in 1852. In 1855 he came to St. Paul, Minn .. and for twelve years was engaged as reporter for the principal daily papers, thus becoming well acquainted with the early history of the state and its prominent men. In 1867 he was elected secretary and librarian of the Minnesota His- torical Society, which position was in perfect harmony with his taste and education. He bent all his energies to the work and was marvelously successful; and his great ability and labors in historical research were recognized by his own state
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and by the societies of other states, who conferred upon him many diplomas. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant a member of the United States Centennial Commission from Minnesota. He held a number of offices in the I. O. O. F. and served two terms on the Board of Education. Besides editing the collections of the Historical Society, he published a "His- tory of St. Paul and County of Ramsey." Too close application to his duties caused his health to fail in 1893 and he resigned his position. His death occurred April 29, 1895. Able, indus- trious and accurate, yet obliging, unpretentious and upright, he was well fitted for the work he did with such credit to himself and advantage to history.
WILLIAMS, JOHN T. Born at Bryn Mawr. Monmouth Rassa, Breconshire, Wales, May 12, 1828. His parents died when he was 5 years old, and since he was 8 years of age he has earned his own living, working first in the coal mines of Beauford, Pen-y-cae, and Tredegar. In the spring of 1848 he emigrated to Beaver Meadow, Carbon county, Pa., and worked in the coal mines for two summers. Attended school at Gib- son, Pa., in winter of 1848-0 and at Wyoming Seminary from 1849 to '53. Came to St. Paul in the summer of 1854, and after returning to Pennsylvania for the winter, came to South Bend in 1856, where he opened a real estate office. Was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1857 and County Treasurer in 1861. In 1863 he was appointed, by Hon. Wm. Windom, Sec- retary of the House Committee on Indian Affairs, at Wash- ington, which position he held until 1870. Was Sergeant at Arms of the State Senate in 1870 and 71. Was elected dele- gate to the Republican National Convention in 1872, and was appointed Special Agent of the Post Office Department the same year, which position he held until July, 1878, when he was appointed counsel to St. Hellens, England. In 1880 he was chosen one of the presidential electors from Minnesota. He is able and active and has been the most successful politi- cian in Blue Earth county. He married Mary C. Wickersham in 1863 and has five children. He owns a comfortable home and a large business block at Mankato.
WILLIAMS, JOHN W. - Born in 1827. His parents being William and Ellen Jones, of Llangadwaladr, Anglesea, Wales. After spending the first twenty-four years of his life among the farmers and quarrymen of his native land he embarked for America and settled for a short time at Etica, N. Y., then came to Cambria, Wis. While he was there he married Miss
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Jane Jones, daughter of Hugh Jones, Glan y Gors, Pengyrnis- iog, Anglesea, in 1855. They had four children, of whom three are still living. He left Cambria in 1868 and settled at Bristol Grove. Minn., and is now a retired farmer. He is a gentleman of genial disposition and kind-hearted.
WILLIAMS, JOHN W .- Born in 1838 in Carnarvonshire, Wales. Emigrated with his parents in 1846 to Columbus, Wis. After attending the district school he spent a year in college at Beaver Dam, Wis. His early days were spent on a farm, and he took great interest in music. In 1866 he was elected Secretary of the Welsh Musical Convention of Wis- consin. The same year he went to Wales and married Miss Leah Davies, Shop Roceren. In 1872 he went to Osage City, Kas., and engaged in the drug business. He was among the few who started the church there, and was elected deacon. After five years he moved to Emporia, where he was three years. Four years were spent between Columbus and Water- town, Wis., and in 1884 he came to Minneapolis, where he still conducts a drug store. He has been secretary of the Welsh church since 1886, excepting one year, and has been the leader of the singing for seven years. No one has spent more time and labor, without any compensation, in teaching music to the young and improving the church singing than he. In the local literary societies and Eisteddfodan he has been an active worker, and he has great skill as a critic of po- etry and music.
WILLIAMS, OWEN E .- Born in 1834 at a farm called Bod- ferllion, in Llanbeulan parish. Anglesea. When he was 3 years old his parents removed to the rocky hills of Llandru- garn and thence, when he was 5 years old, to Trefil Bach, in the same parish, whence he emigrated to the vicinity of Ra- cine, Wis., in the spring of 1857. After six years he removed to the neighborhood of Cambria, Wis., for another six years. Thence in 1868 he moved to Foreston, Ia. Owing to his abil- ity and special fitness for the work he was soon selected elder of the Foreston church. IIe, also, rendered valuable services in the Sabbath school, Missionary Society, Bible Society, Temperance Society and every good work. In 1883 he re- moved to Powell, Dak. In the fall of 1892 he removed from his Dakota farm to Lime Springs, where he has built a pleas- ant home. His strong mental gifts and pleasing fluency of speech make him a natural leader in any community, and since he has consecrated these powers to christian work it
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causes him to be eminently useful to his fellows. He comes of good stock. His grandfather, on his father's side, was a preacher in the Wesleyan church, while his maternal grand- father was a prominent elder of the C. M. church, so in him are united the faith of Calvin and works of Wesley.
WILLIAMS, R. W .- Born at Rhostryfan, Carnarvonshire, Wales, in 1838. Son of the late Win. Williams, ( P'ant Cock ), an honored elder of the churches at Blue Mounds, Wis., and Bristol Grove, Minn. Mr. Williams was only nine years old when the family embarked for America. They settled first at Blue Mounds. In 1865 he was married to Alice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Williams ( Bryn//vs ), Barneveld, Wis., He is a farmer by occupation. In 1874 he moved to Long Creek, Iowa, where he spent five years, and in 1879 removed again to Saratoga Prairie, where he has been very successful. A few years ago he left the farm on account of his wife's health, and built him one of the finest residences in Lime Springs. He is well versed in scriptural knowledge, possessing a good tact for practical work and always ready to do everything he can for the church. He also takes an active interest in edu- cation and his political party.
WILLIAMS, THOS. D .- Son of David J. Williams, born in Pike Township, Bradford county, Pa .. February 13, 1836. On the first of June, 1855, he came to Minnesota, and located on a claim a little west of the old township of Eureka. Dur- ing the Sioux war of 1862 he, with eighteen of his neighbors, went to the defence of New Ulm, and was present when the Indians made their first attack on that town. He also served with a company of minute men in pursuit of the Indians, when they made a raid on the Swan Lake settlers September 3, 1862. On March 18, 1869, he married Mrs. Sarah Thomas. In 1870 he removed to a farm in Judson, and thence in 1888 to Lake Crystal, Minn., where he now resides in comfortable circumstances. Scrupulously honest and upright, he is indeed a Welshman in whom there is no guile. He is a worthy dea- con of the Baptist church at Lake Crystal.
WILLIAMS, DR. ULYSSES GRANT-Born at Chicago, Ill., March 24, 1864. His father, Richard P. Williams, is a native of Wales, and his mother of Stuben, N. Y., her maiden name being, Jane Rowlands. Ile moved to Columbus, Wis., in 1870, receiving his early education at the old log school house on the hill. In 1880 he attended two terms of the High School, Columbus, Wis., also began the study of phar-
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Wm. J. Jones. BUTTERNUT VALLEY, MINN.
Richard Jones. CAMBRIA, MINN.
Daniel L. Harris. LAKE CRYSTAL, MIAN.
David L, Harris. . CAMBRIA, MINN.
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Thos. D. Williams. LAKE CRYSTAL, MINN.
John Rees. LAKE CRISTAL, MINN.
T. P. Thomas, MANKATO, MINN.
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Hugh (i. Roberts. MANKATO, MIAN.
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macy with the pioneer druggist, Mr. J. W. Williams. Came west to Minneapolis, Minn., in the spring of 1883, working that summer as drug clerk. Went into business for himself as a pharmacist January 1, 1884, and retired from the drug busi- ness in September, 1892. Entered the Minnesota College Hospital in 1885, and graduated from the Medicine and Sur- gery department of the University in June, 1889, and began the practiceof his profession. He was elected state physician of Modern Workmen in 1892, a position which he still holds, and is at present the local examining physician for Woodmen and Maccabees, also belongs to I. O. R., R. N. A. and K. of P. The subject of this sketch is a brother of Dr. R. A. Will- iams of Olathe, Kas., who is a member of the State Board of Health, and state surgeon for the standing army. Including . the two doctors, there are six druggists in the family.
WILLIAMS, RES. WILLIAM-A Baptist clergyman, born at Merthyr Tydfyl, Glanmorganshire, Wales, January 4, 1800. At the age of 22 years he emigrated to the United States, and resided in Pennsylvania and Maryland for twenty- seven years. In 1835 he was ordained to the ministry by a conference of the Welsh Baptist churches of Pennsylvania. In 1849 he moved to Big Rock, Ill., and took charge of the Welsh and English church there. In 1855 he paid the Welsh settlements of Blue Earth county, Minn .. a visit, and on June 24, at D. C. Evans' house in South Bend, preached the first Welsh sermon in the county. In October, of that year, he moved with his family aud located on a farm in Judson, Minn. Here he preached for a number of years to the Baptists and Congregationalists, ( the two uniting in those days, and Revs. Williams and Jenkins preaching to them alternately. ) In 1858 Rev. Williams organized a Baptist church in Judson, which flourished for some years. He took a very prominent part in the early history of Judson-in organizing the township and the school districts. He was Postmaster and Justice of the Peace for many years. As a preacher he was full of Welsh fire and well grounded in the faith. He was twice married. After the death of his last wife in 1866, he went to live with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Tibbetts, at Harrisburg, Pa., where he died of acute cancer on the lip at the age of SS years.
WILLIAMS, WM. E.(Gwilym )- Born at Oak Hill, O., in 1844. Son of Evan and Margaret Williams, who came to Minnesota with the Jackson Colony in 1856 and located at South Bend. He received a fair common school education. In 1862, when
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but 18 years of age, he enlisted in Company E, Ninth Minne- sota. Volunteers and served with bravery and faithfulness till the close of the war, participating in all the battles and skir- mishes in which his regiment was engaged. He was company clerk and corporal during the last year and a half. He mar- ried Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John G. and Elizabeth Rob- erts of South Bend in 1866. He held a number of town offices and was enumerator of the census in 1880 and 1890. In 1891 he was appointed assistant state weigh master, which position he now holds for the third year. Has been identified from his youth with the church; was for many years a member of Bethel church, Butternut Valley, and is now an useful mem- ber of the Minneapolis Welsh church. He has, also, been pro- minent in the Welsh literary circles of the state and one of the supporters of the Listedfod from the beginning and has won prizes as a poet.
WILLIAMS, W.M. H. Born at South Bend, Minn., June 17, 1858. Spent his boyhood days on the farm and attending the South Bend village school. Hle then attended the Man- kato high school and graduated in 1881. After one year spent at the Chicago University, he entered the law office of Hon. W. D. Cornish of St. Paul in the summer of 1883, and was admitted to practice in that city in July, 1885. He remained at a salary in Mr. Cornish's office until the fall of 1889, when he opened an office of his own. In January, 1891, he formed a partnership with Hon. Owen Morris which continued until December, 1892. Since the last date he has been alone hav- ing an office in Pioneer Press Building, St. Paul. He is of excellent character and has a good practice.
WILLIAMS, WM. J .- Born March 17, 1821, at Llanddewi Beti, Cardiganshire. Emigrated to Edinburgh township, Portage county, O., in 1849. He was a tailor by trade. In Ohio he helped David J. Davis operate a saw mill. Removed to Blue Earth county, Minn., with his mother, Mrs. Winni- fred Williams and two brothers, David J. and Daniel L. Wil- liams, in 1855, and located on the homestead in Cambria, where he died May 17, 1886. Ile took much interest in public matters, religious and secular. Was impulsive by nature, yet kind-hearted and forgiving, and ever ready to do any one-friend or foe-a favor.
WILLIAMS, HON. WILLIAM W .- Born in Green Lake county, Wis., October 12, 1853. Son of Rev. John D. Will- jams. Moved with his parents to Bristol Grove, Minn., in
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1866, and thence to Foreston, Ia., in 1873. In 1874 he entered the Minnesota State University, and graduated with the de- gree of A. B. in the class of 1880. During his college course he taught two terms of school. In 1881 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for County Superintendent of Schools and County Surveyor. Owing to the defection of the Green- back party at that time, he was defeated by a small vote for the first office, but was elected to the latter one. Since that time he has been engaged in milling and farming. In 1883 he was elected elder of the Foreston church. He has also been its secretary for years and is now, also, its chorister. In 1891 he was elected to the Iowa Legislature on the Republican ticket, and in 1893 was re-elected. In 1891 he married Miss Maggie E. Roberts, of Columbus, Wis. Mr. Williams is a man of fine ability, culture and character, and is a power for good in his community.
WILLIAMS, JOHN R. Born at Treban farm, Bryn- gwran, Anglesea, Wales, in 1839. Son of Robert and Marga- ret Williams. Emigrated to America in 1857 and settled for a year or two at Waukesha, Wis., thence went to Caledonia, Wis. In 1860 he removed to Filmore county, Minn .. where he still resides. In 1861 he married' Miss Jane Owen, of Cal- edonia, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were about the first Welsh settlers in Filmore county. They are honest, thrifty people. Mr. Williams is a bard of some note.
WOODS, ISAAC -Born at Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, Wales, about 1814. Son of Abraham and Sarah Woods. In 1836 he married Miss Ann Davis and they emigrated from Wales to Jackson county, Ohio, where the wife died in 1844. In 1849 he married again-his second wife being Miss Mar- garet Evans, of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1856 he came to Bhie Earth county, Minn., and located on a farm near Seion church in South Bend, where he died in September, 1878. He was a very upright and conscientious man, a faithful and earnest christian and an elder of the C. M. church of Scion. He left two children surviving him, namely: Mrs. Sarah Price, wife of Rowland W. Price, of Judson, Minn., begotten of his first wife, and Walter A. Woods, of South Bend, Minn., begotten of his second wife.
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Short Biographical Sketches of Rev. Jos. Roberts' Minneapolis Bible Class.
BY MR. G. G. JONES.
( KEY TO ILLUSTRATION. )
R. E. Jones. R. R. Morris. Ed Joues. G. G. Jones. J. E. Jones. Owen Thomas. Geo. W. Williams. Rev. Jos. Roberts. R. N. Jones. Thos. E. Williams.
O. T. Morris. Elias E. Jones.
JONES, ELLAS E .- Born August 13, 1869, at Llangrist- iolus, Wales. In 1890 he emigrated to America and settled at Powell, S. D. In 1894 he came to Minneapolis. His occu- pation is a teamster.
JONES, EDWARD-Born March 6, 1862, at Portmadog, Wales. In his early days he was a machinist at his father's shops. On June 2, 1884, he married Miss Lizzie Price. They have three bright, promising little girls. In 1882 he removed to Montreal, and in 1884 came to Minneapolis. Mr. Jones is a promoter of every good cause.
JONES, RICHARD E .- Born November 18, 1874, at Cambria, Wis. For a number of years he worked on his father's farm. In 1893 he came to Minneapolis where he learned the plumb- ing trade. He is of unblemished character and is highly es- teemed in the Welsh church, where he is a faithful attendant. JONES, GRIFFITH G .- Born April 25, 1870, at Gaerwen, North Wales. In 1889 he came to this country and settled at Powell, S. D. Two years later he came to Minneapolis and has since been with R. R. Howell & Co., as credit man. (While in Dakota he attended Redfield college, and since has spent one year at Ripon college, Ripon, Wis. Ile is a fluent speaker, and has been studying for the ministry. Hle is the president of the Welsh C. E. society. )-En.
JONES, JOHN E .- A brother of Elias Jones. Born March 6, 1871, at Llangristiolus, Wales. In 1893 he came to this city with his sister, Lizzie. He is employed at the store of R. R. Howell & Co.
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Bible Class of Rev. Joseph Roberts, Minneapolis.
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JONES, JR., R. N .- Born at Portmadog, Wales, December 3, 1866. When comparatively young he learned the machin- ist trade at his father's shops. In 1882 he emigrated with his parents to America, and settled at Montreal, where he worked at his trade. Since then he has traveled quite extensively, and has accepted positions at Denver, Col., Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash. In 1891 he came to Minneapolis and was for some time in partnership with his father in a blacksmith shop. He also operated a General Supply and Commission business. His services at the Welsh church have been valut- able. He is now at Great Falls, Mont.
MORRIS, O. T .- Born at Liverpool, October 26, 1868. When 5 years old, he removed with his parents to Dolgelly, Wales. Received his education at the Board and Grammar schools of native country and Liverpool institute. He was employed for five years at the North and South Wales Bank, and became thoroughly acquainted with banking. In 1890 he came to this country and settled first in St. Paul, and afterwards at Minneapolis. Is now employed as book-keeper. He is a com- petent singer, and faithful worker in the Junior C. E. society. MORRIS, R. R .- Born July 30, 1871, at Liverpool. . When he was 2 years old, his parents moved to Dolgelly, Wales. In 1889 came to this country and settled in St. Paul, and shortly afterwards moved to Minneapolis. He occupies a position of trust as a stenographer at the Commercial Bank of St. Paul. He is a talented young man, and his future prospects are very bright. He is prominent in the Welsh C. E. society, and in 1894 was its president.
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