Background
Thomas was born in November 1848 at Llanfihangel Genau"r Glyn, Cardiganshire, Wales to Thomas Thomas, carrier, and his wife Mary (née Hughes).
mining engineer politician Businessperson
Thomas was born in November 1848 at Llanfihangel Genau"r Glyn, Cardiganshire, Wales to Thomas Thomas, carrier, and his wife Mary (née Hughes).
At age nine we was working at a woolen 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. 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.
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".
In 1890, Thomas retired from mining and handed over the business to his employees, who formed the Aberdare Company-Operative Coal Company Limited.
He easily defeated the sitting member, Thomas Glassey, and remained as the member until he decided not to stand in the 1899 election.
Three years later, Thomas was appointed by premier Robert Philp to the Queensland Legislative Council, remaining there until his death in 1913. Thomas was a trustee of the Ipswich Girls" Grammar School and also donated the annual "Thomas Lewis Scholatship" to the boys Grammar School.
Around 1905, Lewis was on a tour back to Wales, and while there he donated £1000 to establish a scholarship at the Aberystwyth University.
In 1890, Thomas built "Brynhyfryd Mansion" at Blackstone. lieutenant was an elaborate home, three stories high and containing 49 rooms including a basement and a tower. lieutenant was built on top of a rich coal seam, and while Thomas was alive, refused to mine the coal as it would having to demolish his home.
Thomas died in February 1913, and his funeral proceeded from his home in Blackstone to the Ipswich General Cemetery.
Thomas, representing the Ministerial Party, was a candidate for the seat of Bundamba at the 1893 colonial election.