Lewis Thomas (politician)
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20 November 1832
Lewis Thomas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Bundamba | |
| In office 13 May 1893 – 18 March 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Glassey |
| Succeeded by | James Cribb |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Council | |
| In office 5 July 1902 – 16 February 1913 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lewis Thomas 20 November 1832 |
| Died | 16 February 1913 (aged 80) Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Resting place | Ipswich General Cemetery |
| Party | Ministerial |
| Spouse | Anne Morris(m.1859 d.1930) |
| Occupation | Gold miner, Colliery owner |
Lewis Thomas (20 November 1832 – 16 February 1913) was a colliery owner and a member of both the Queensland Legislative Council and the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]
Thomas was born in November 1832 at Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn, Cardiganshire, Wales to Thomas Thomas, carrier, and his wife Mary (née Hughes).[2] At age nine he was working at a woollen factory and at fifteen was employed in the lead-mines of Esgair and Bwlch Gwyn. He moved on to working in the coal and iron mines of South Wales and in 1859 he set off to Australia.[2]
Landing in Victoria, he worked as a gold miner but was unsuccessful and relocated to Queensland some two years later where he turned to coal mining in the West Moreton district.[2] This time his venture was such a success that he opened up many of the coalfields in the area and with the building of railways across Queensland the demand for coal become even greater, earning him a vast fortune and eventually became known as the 'Coal King'.[2] In 1890, Thomas retired from mining and handed over the business to his employees, who formed the Aberdare Co-Operative Coal Co. Ltd.[3]
Political career
Thomas, representing the Ministerial Party, was a candidate for the seat of Bundamba at the 1893 colonial election. He easily defeated the sitting member, Thomas Glassey,[4] and remained as the member until he decided not to stand in the 1899 election.[5]
Three years later, Thomas was appointed by premier Robert Philp[6] to the Queensland Legislative Council, remaining there until his death in 1913.[1]
