John Jones Jenkins, 1st Baron Glantawe


John Jones Jenkins, 1st Baron Glantawe was a Welsh tin-plate manufacturer and Liberal politician. Having commenced working at the Upper Forest Tinplate Works, Morriston, at the age of fifteen, he ended his life as one of the wealthiest men in Glamorgan.

Background

Jenkins was the son of Jenkin Jenkins of Morriston, Glamorgan and his wife Sarah Jones.

Business career

Jenkins was co-founder and manager of the Beaufort Tinplate Works at Morriston in 1859. He was also with the

Political career

Jenkins was a Justice of the Peace for Swansea and Carmarthenshire and Mayor of Swansea three times, in 1869, 1879 and 1880. He was knighted on 17 May 1882. He stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Carmarthen in 1880, but was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency in a by-election in 1882 and held the seat until 1886. In 1889 he was High Sheriff of Glamorgan. He was elected for Carmarthen again in 1895 and held the seat until 1900. On 18 July 1906 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Glantawe, of Swansea in the County of Glamorgan.

Personal life

Lord Glantawe married, firstly, Margaret Rees, daughter of Josiah Rees, on 20 January 1854 at Swansea with whom he had two sons. He married, secondly, Catherine Prudence Daniel, daughter of Edward Daniel, on 10 May 1864 at Llansamlet, Glamorgan.
Jenkins had two daughters by his second wife - Olga Violet Jenkins and Alina Kate Elaine Jenkins but had no male heir.
Glantawe died aged 80 at The Grange, West Cross in Swansea, now the site of the Territorial Army base, and was buried at Oystermouth Cemetery. The peerage died with him.