JONES, JOHN BOWEN (1829-1905), Congregational minister and writer;
b. 10 Feb. 1829 in Blaenborthyn, Llanwenog, Cards. He was educated in the local schools at Capel Dewi and Waunifor and at Llandysul grammar school. He had a brilliant career (1846-51) at the Carmarthen Presbyterian College, 1846-51 — he was one of the first in Wales to take the B.A. degree of the University of London (1850). He began to preach in 1847 at Bryn-teg, where he was a member, was ordained in Aug. 1851, and held pastorates as follows: Hermon (Llansadwrn) and Tabor (Llanwrda), 1851-9, Bridgend, 1859-74, Coity (near Bridgend), 1863-74, and the ‘Plough’ (Brecon), 1874-1903. He kept a ministerial preparatory school at Bridgend and at Brecon. He was chairman of the Welsh Congregational Union, 1894. He was one of the founders of Y Beirniad (1850-79), and edited Y Cennad Hedd (1866-1903) and Y Beirniad (1875-9). He published Y Blodeuglwm, 1876, and edited Casgliad o Hen Emynau (1877 and 1883). He contributed much to Welsh periodical journals, was a powerful and original preacher, of a philosophical cast of mind, and was an excellent scholar. He d. 10 Dec. 1905. His son, Ivor Bowen, is separately noticed.
Bibliography:
- H.E.A.C., ii, 200, 213, iii, 561, 574, v, 162, 395;
- Casgliad o Hen Emynau, 1-78;
- N.L.W. MS. 10327.
Author:
Rev. John Dyfnallt Owen, M.A., (1873-1956), Aberystwyth
