Theophilus Williams (7 August 1824 – 26 June 1904) was an Australian businessman of

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

origin who served as mayor of

Ballarat East Ballarat East is a suburb of Ballarat in Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. From 1857 until 1921 the suburb had its own council (see below). The suburb covers a large area east of the city centre. It is the oldest urban area in Ballara ...

for three separate terms.

History

Williams was born in

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

, England, but grew up in

Loughor Loughor () ( cy, Casllwchwr) is a Welsh town in the City and County of Swansea, within the Historic counties of Wales, historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Loughor. The town has a community (Wales), ...

, in the west of

Glamorganshire , HQ = Cardiff , Government = Glamorgan County Council (1889–1974) , Origin= , Code = GLA , CodeName = Chapman code , Replace = * West Glamorgan * Mid Glamorgan * South Glamorgan , Motto ...

. He received some formal education at the School of Three Crosses before being sent to work at John Guest's iron works at

Dowlais Dowlais () is a village and community of the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. At the 2011 census the electoral ward had a population of 6,926, The population of the Community being 4,270 at the 2011 census having excluded Pant. Dowlai ...

, near Merthyr Tydvil. While at the school attached to the factory his dexterity and mental agility were noticed by Lady Guest, who recommended him to Sir

Charles Barry Sir Charles Barry (23 May 1795 – 12 May 1860) was a British architect, best known for his role in the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament) in London during the mid-19th century, but also respons ...

, who put him to work on ornamental work on the new

Palace of Westminster The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Informally known as the Houses of Parli ...

. When news of the great Australian gold discoveries reached London, he joined the rush, and arrived in

Ballarat Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands (Victoria), Central Highlands of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resid ...

in September 1853, and immediately set to work, with some success, and was on the goldfields at the time of the

Eureka Stockade The Eureka Rebellion was a series of events involving gold miners who revolted against the British administration of the colony of Victoria, Australia during the Victorian gold rush. It culminated in the Battle of the Eureka Stockade, which ...

and helped treat the injuries of some of the wounded. When the Local Court was established he was elected to the board set up to resolve disputes. He purchased a large claim at Moorabool, a significant source of slate, which he leased to a mining company. In 1865 he was appointed manager of the Great Redan Extended Company, and in 1872 made manager of the Llanberris company. In August 1876 he was elected to the Ballarat East council, a post he retained for many years. He was elected

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

for the terms 1881–82, 1887–88, and 1894–95. He served as the council representative on the Ballarat Water Commission for nine years, was a founder and committee member of the Mechanics' Institute, a founder of the original

Ballarat Eisteddfod Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018. Within months of Vic ...

and its secretary for the 1880 competitions. He was one of the original trustees, and a staunch adherent, of the Welsh Church in Armstrong Street, and a moderator of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Association of Victoria 1888–89. In 1887 he was a founder of the Cambrian Society in Ballarat as a Welsh social, cultural and charitable organisation. It only survived a few years however; its name was revived in 1906 with the energetic Sebastopol Cambrian Society. He retired from the council in August 1900. Williams married Elizabeth (died 22 January 1908); they had a home, "Llanberris House", Dowling Street, Ballarat North. Their family included: *eldest son Taliesin Williams (c. 1862 – 17 February 1901) *eldest daughter Rachel Maud Williams married John Anthony Atkinson on 26 April 1893 No further details have been found

Notes and references

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Theophilus 1824 births 1904 deaths Mayors of places in Victoria (Australia)