Noah Rees (1834-1897)

Hay & Corn Merchant - A Well-Known Cardiffian

LATE MR NOAH REES.

LAID TO REST AT CARDIFF CEMETERY YESTERDAY.

The remains of the late Mr. Noah Rees, Car diff, were laid in their last resting-place on Wednesday afternoon. A brief service was first held at the late residence of the deceased, Richmond-road. after which the cortege left for the New Cemetery. The coffin was of English oak, with brass furnishing, and was borne on a Victoria car. Four mourning coaches, containing the chief mourners, the sons of the deceased, and other relatives, followed, alter which came 25 private carriages. The service at the residence was conducted by the Rev. J. Davies (Taihirion), and at the cemetery by the Rev. W. C. Parry, pastor of Richmond-road Congregational Church, of which Mr. Rees was deacon and treasurer, and of which he was also one of the founders, and the Rev. W. E. Winks (Bethany Chapel), and Mr. J. Austen Jenkins, B.A., formerly minister of the Church, and now registrar of the university college. A large number of friends, members of the corporation, Liberal Association, University College, and others attended to pay a late tribute to the memory of their old friend and colleague. Among them were Mr. Alfred Thomas, M.P., Professor Barbier, and Professor Tyssil Evans. There were no flowers, and the whole arrangements, which were by the wish of the deceased of the simplest description, were carried out by Messrs. Stone Bros. Cardiff. One of the last, things done by the late Mr. Noah Rees in his long and tedious illness was to sign his name in the collecting-book as a subscriber of £S300 towards the new chapel to be erected by the Richmond-road Congregational Church.

Evening Express 15th April 1897

DEATH OF MR. NOAH REES.

A WELL-KNOWN CARDIFFIAN PASSED AWAY.

Many of our readers will regret to learn Many of our readers will regret to learn that Mr Noah Rees, the well-known hay. seed, and corn merchant, of Working-street, I Cardiff, passed away on Sunday morning, at his residence, 56, Richmond-road. Mr. Rees had been in a very delicate state of health for several months past. He was suffering from jaundice, and had consulted specialists in I (The late Mr. Noah Rees.) London and elsewhere, locally, Dr. Vachell had attended him, and no fewer than four other medical men were called in at times. Notwithstanding every attention, however, the illness proved fatal, and death occurred, as stated above, at eleven o clock on Sunday morning. The deceased gentleman was a native of Llanharran. where he was born in 1834. Educated at Cowbridge Grammar School, he came to Cardiff in 1858, and started business as a hay and corn merchant in Quay- street. He subsequently removed to Working- street, where, by dint of hard work and enterprise, he succeeded in establishing a large and profitable business. Mr. Rees was well known in Cardiff, and lie took a keen interest in all affairs appertaining to the welfare and progress of the town. For four years lie represented the Riverside Ward upon the town council, but resigned his seat a year last November. Mr. Rees was an enthusiastic Welshman, and actively identified himself with the Richmond-road Chapel. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter. One son and the daughter are married.

Evening Express 12th April 1897

DEATH OF MR NOAH REES, CARDIFF.

We regret to announce the death, which took place at his residence, Richmond-road, on Sunday morning, of Mr Noah Rees, at the age of 63 years. The deceased had been suffering from jaundice for some considerable time, and bad been confined to the house since October last

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Mr Rees, who was one of the most successful business men in Cardiff, carrying on the trade of a hay and corn merchant in Working-street, was born in, Llansannor, Glamorganshire, in 1834. He received his education at a private school in Cowbridge, and about 40 years ago removed to Cardiff. He started business on a small scale, and then took premises in Working-street. These were burned down soma 15 years since, and Mr Rees had built for him on the same site the extensive premises where he carried on business in conjunction with his son. He was closely connected with the political and religious work of the town. In politics lie was a staunch Liberal, and represented the Riverside Ward on the Cardiff Corporation from 1890 to 1896, when ill-health compelled him to resign. Previous to this he fought the Central Ward in the Liberal interest unsuccessfully. He was a member of the Executive of the Liberal Association, and did excellent work for tin; party. He was connected with the Congregational churches of the town, first at Mount Stuart-square, when the Rev. John Davies, who was a great political and religious power in Cardiff at the time, was minister and then at Ebenezer Welsh Congregational Chapel, when the Rev. John Morgan Evans was minister. At the death of Mr Evans, he, with Alderman Dr. Edgar Jones, started the cause at Richmond-road, and since its foundation he has been the' superintendent of the Sunday school and treasurer of the church. He was a very benevolent and philanthropic gentleman, and his house was always open for hospitality to ministers and others attending meetings in the town. He helped churches considerably in their difficulties, and was trustee for several in the town and country. In business life he was very highly esteemed, and his business connections extended throughout the country. He was intimately acquainted with all the farmers in the Vale of Glamorgan, and was always ready to lend them a helping hand. He was a member of the Court of Governors of the University College, Cardiff, and at the founding (,f the medical school he gave a subscription of 50 guineas towards it. He was twice married. Hi < first wife was the daughter of the Rev. Mr Pritchard, Congregational minister, Sketrog. near Brecon and his second Miss Jenkins, of Cliff Farm, near Cowbridge. He leaves several sons and a daughter, namely, Mrs Thomas, of Wellfield road Mr T. P. Rees, his partner in business; Mr John Rees, and Mr Richard Rees. His loss will be deeply felt in the town, especially in the church at Richmond-road, where he was so prominent a worker. The announcement of his death cast a gloom over the service at the church throughout Sunday.

THE FUNERAL.

The remains of the late Mr Noah Rees, an ex- councillor of Cardiff, who died at 56, Richmond. road on Sunday morning, were interred in the New Cemetery, Cardiff, on Wednesday. There was a large cortege, which included many public men and employees, and many of the general public who had known deceased lined both sides of the street near the late residence. The chief mourners were the sons and other near relations, and amongst those who followed were several aldermen and councillors. The services at the house and at the Cemetery were conducted by the Rev. W. V. Parry, minister of the Congregational Church, Richmond-road, assisted by the Rev. J Davies, of Taihinon. Messrs Stone Brothers, of 5, Working-street, ably carried out the funeral arrangements.

The Cardiff Times 17th April 1897

SOURCE: Welsh Newspapers Online