John Edmund Thomas (c1841-1900)
Civil engineer and surveyor of several railways in Wales
1900 'We regret to record the death. on Friday, the 16th inst., at his residence, Gwylfa, Wrexham, North Wales, of Mr. J. E. Thomas, civil engineer and surveyor, at the age of fifty-nine. Mr. Thomas was connected with most of the Welsh railway schemes, dating as far back as 1860. He was engaged on the Hereford, Hay, and Eardisley (now Midland); Mid-Wales (now Cambrian); Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast; Ruthin, Denbigh, and Corwen; Oswestry and Whitchurch; and recently upon the Hawarden Loop (Cheshire Lines); and the Wrexham and Ellesmere. In addition to these, he was also engaged upon several schemes in different parts of England, and upon many light-railway schemes since the passing of the Act relating to these. Amongst the profession in Westminster, he was acknowledged a particularly able man on Parliamentary work. He was also an author of no mean importance on geological subjects appertaining to his native land, and amongst them we should name "The Rocks of Carnarvonshire," "The Coal Measures of Denbighshire and Flintshire," and "The Mineral Resources of Wales," the latter being written on the instigation of Sir Edward Watkin who took an active interest in piloting the Welsh Railways Union Act through its many vicarious stages to success. Mr. Thomas leaves one son and three daughters.'[1]