LEWIS, HENRY GETHIN (1872 - 1945), merchant and financier

Born 5 April 1872 at Pontlotyn, Glamorganshire, son of James and Margaret Lewis. He went to Lewis School, Pengam, and later entered the office of an uncle who was at the head of the Bute Works Supply Co., Cardiff. He served here for 21 years, becoming a partner and, when the business was formed into a limited liability company, a director and its secretary. He compiled a series of tables which were published at Abergavenny in 1899 under the title of Redemption hire, deferred purchase, and easy payment tables; these were adopted as a standard by the Wagon Building and Financing Corporation. In 1911 he founded the firm of Henry G. Lewis and Co., Ltd., rolling-stock proprietors, and during World War I he supplied the Admiralty with wagons for coaling the Fleet. At the close of hostilities he was one of the largest wagon-hirers in Britain. His generosity kept pace with his success. In 1927 he bought the former residence of George Davidson, Wernfawr, Harlech, and presented it to the founders of Coleg Harlech. He also bought and gave to N.L.W. the E.C. Quiggin Celtic collection. He was High Sheriff of Glamorgan, 1920-21, a governor and treasurer of the University College, Cardiff, a governor and councillor of the N.L.W., and treasurer of the National Eisteddfod Association. In 1928 the University of Wales conferred on him the degree of LL.D. He married in 1897, Ann, daughter of Jenkin Llewellyn of Penarth; they had eight children. Their home for many years was at Porthkerry, Barry, where Lewis died on 9 February 1945.

Author

• Thomas Jones, (1870 - 1955)

Sources

• Who's who in Wales
• personal knowledge

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20821141

Published date: 2001

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/