David Llewellin (1826-1880)
1880 Obituary [1]
MR. DAVID LLEWELLIN was born in the year 1826, and was educated as a civil and mining engineer in the office of his uncle and brother, with whom he remained six years as pupil and assistant.
In 1849 he commenced business on his own account, and obtained an extensive connection in South Wales, becoming in course of time mineral agent for Lord Aberdare and nearly every one of the principal mineral owners in Glamorganshire. In this capacity he laid out several branch and other railways, incline planes, tunnels, reservoirs, weirs, and bridges, and supervised their construction.
As viewer and manager of extensive collieries he had the construction of such engineering works as sinking, the erection of stationary engines, the construction of railway sidings, coal tips and screens, ponds, and the underground works and engines appertaining thereto. In the Vale of Neath he constructed extensive tannels for the diversion of rivers and brooks, also one of the most important inclined planes in South Wales.
In public life he was universally respected for his straightforward character, dauntless spirit, and strict integrity. He was a member of the Board of Guardians of Pontypool Union, the Llanfrechfa Upper Local Board, and the Llanfrechfa Upper School Board, and took an active part in the transaction of public business.
His connection with this Institution dates from 1864, and he was one of the original members of the South Wales Institute of Engineers. He was also a Fellow of the Geological Society, a member of the Institution of Surveyors, and a member of the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers.
He died, after a lingering illness, at Pontrhydyrun, on the 29th of July, 1880, in his fifty-fourth year.