Owen Harris
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Owen Harris (1837 – January 1905) was a Liberal politician and municipal leader in Aberdare, South Wales.


Early life

Harris was born in Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, but as a young man migrated to
Ystalyfera Ystalyfera is a former industrial village and community (Wales), community in the upper Swansea Valley, on the River Tawe, about northeast of Swansea. It is an ward (politics), electoral ward and a community (Wales), community in the unitary a ...
in the
Swansea Valley The Swansea Valley ( cy, Cwm Tawe) is one of the South Wales Valleys. It is the valley from the Brecon Beacons National Park to the sea at Swansea of the River Tawe in Wales. Administration of the area is divided between the City and County of Sw ...
and later to Aberdare, where he opened a grocer's business in Harriet Street,
Trecynon Trecynon is a village near Aberdare situated in the Cynon Valley, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It dates from the early nineteenth century and developed as a result of the opening of the Aberdare Ironworks at Llwydcoed in 1800. Etymology The s ...
. At this time, Trecynon was a growing industrial community, and Harris was one of a number of enterprising tradesmen from rural Wales who established businesses in Harriet Street. By 1870 he was sufficiently well-established to be contributing 5/- to a testimonial for the minister at Heolyfelin Chapel (see below). In later years he established branches of his business at Mill Street and Llwydcoed, the former being managed by his son, Morgan J. Harris.


Public life

Harris was a prominent member of the
Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...
in Aberdare but was regarded as Progressive in politics. In effect this meant that he supported closer links with the labour movement. His earliest known involvement was in 1879 when he was part of a deputation of tradesmen and working men who attended a meeting at Swansea to request Richard Fothergill, one of the two sitting members to offer himself once again as a candidate for the Merthyr Boroughs. Fothergill eventually declined the invitation. Leaders of the Baptist denomination in the Aberdare Valley, most notably Thomas Price, had been instrumental in securing Fothergill's election for Merthyr Boroughs, alongside Henry Richard in 1868. It is, therefore, significant that Harris, as a prominent Baptist as well as a tradesman, was a member of the deputation. The following year, Harris was elected as a representative of the North Ward of Aberdare on the Merthyr Tydfil Board of Guardians. It must be assumed that one of the nominated candidates later withdrew as Harris was elected without a contest The following year, four candidates were again nominated for the three seats. It was agreed that lots would be drawn to determine who should serve as guardians and Harris was one of those successful. From this time onwards Harris was involved in the municipal life of Aberdare and served on several public bodies including the Aberdare School Board and the
Merthyr Tydfil Board of Guardians Merthyr Tydfil (; cy, Merthyr Tudful ) is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Wales, administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. It is about north of Cardiff. Often called just Merthyr, it is said to be named after Tydf ...
. In 1886, he was elected to the Aberdare Local Board of Health. He was re-elected in 1889, defeating two colliery managers. In 1892, there were rumours, immediately denied by Harris' supporters that he intended to contest the Hirwaun ward in the county council election against the sitting member, Rev Richard Morgan. When the Local Board was merged into the
Aberdare Urban District Council Aberdare Urban District Council was a local authority in Aberdare, Wales. History It was created in 1894 as a result of the 1894 Local Government of England and Wales Act and the 1894 Aberdare Urban District Council election saw the election of ...
in
1894 Events January–March * January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire. * January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, he was returned as a member for Llwydcoed. He was re-elected unopposed in 1896, 1899 and 1902. Upon his death, his son was elected in his place.


Religious affiliation

Harris was originally a Calvinistic Methodist, but at Aberdare he became a Baptist. He was a deacon and a prominent figure at Heolyfelin Baptist Church, Trecynon, served as chairman of the East Glamorgan Baptist Association.


Death

Harris died in January 1905 and fulsome tributes were paid by fellow members of the Aberdare District Council. He was buried at the Aberdare Cemetery and a large number of mainly Baptist ministers and laymen took part in the proceedings, including Edward Thomas (Cochfarf). Harris left over £8,000 in his will. most of which was inherited by his son, Morgan and, in addition he owned at least seven houses in Trecynon. At the Trecynon Eisteddfod in 1907, a prize was offered for verses in memory of Harris and the prize was awarded by Harris's fellow Liberal, Griffith George (''Gruffydd Dyfed'') to the only competitor.


References


Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Owen Councillors in Wales Liberal Party (UK) politicians People from Aberdare 1837 births 1905 deaths 19th-century Welsh politicians