JONES, JOHN HERBERT ('Je Aitsh '; 1860 - 1943), journalist and author

Born 29 May 1860, at Talsarnau, Merionethshire, son of Elizabeth and William Jones, a gardener at Cae'rffynnon mansion, and an elder at Bethel (Presb.) chapel, who had moved from Maesneuadd, near Llanaelhaearn. His only regular education was received at the village school. After service with a tailor at Porthmadog for a period, he went to Birkenhead to learn press compositing before going to Caernarfon in 1882 to take up a post at the office of Yr Herald Cymraeg. He returned to Merseyside in 1890 to work on the Cymro, owned by Isaac Foulkes. That same year he married Elizabeth Parry, from Caernarfon, and previously of Baladeulyn, Nantlle; they had three children. He was elected an elder at Parkfield Presbyterian chapel and did much to further the cause, and later became an elder at the churches at Woodchurch Road and Laird St., Birkenhead. He considered his labours as a contribution to his main task, namely to protect Welsh civilisation and culture in view of the dangers presented by the large cities. However, as he could not conscientiously support Isaac Foulkes on a contentious church matter affecting Liverpool and the surrounding areas at that time, he left Y Cymro. For a short period he became a compositor at Wrexham. Having already embarked on a literary career by writing at the end of his day's work weekly articles for Y Genedl, he came to an agreement with Hugh Evans (1854-1934;) in 1906 to take charge of a forthcoming weekly publication - Y Brython - which he edited until he retired in 1931. Afterwards he continued to deliver lectures frequently and visited the U.S.A. in 1932. In 1941 he went with his daughter and her husband to live at Pen-y-groes, Caernarfonshire, where he died 23 March 1943. He published a text (1915) of Llyfr y Tri Aderyn (Morgan Llwyd) and several books which included some of his own more important articles from Y Brython. His chief works are: O'r Mwg i'r Mynydd (1913), Swp o Rug (1920), and Moelystota (1932).

Author

• Emeritus Professor Gwilym Peredur Jones, (1892 - 1975)

Sources

• Personal knowledge

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733441

Published date: 2001

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