Howel Davies (1846-1913) is notable in Wrexham's history as the man who brought the railway network to Wrexham. Born 13 June 1846, Howel was a carpenter's apprentice by age 15, and had moved from his family home in Queen Street to live with his aunt Catherine in Hope Street. Howel soon changed careers, becoming an architect. In 1871, he married Louisa Mary Jones and moved into Albert Street in Hightown, where he had five children over the next ten years - Herbert Howel, Harold Clement, Hugh Jackson, Louisa Mary and Llewelyn. They also had a baby daughter, Minnie, who only lived for 3 weeks. Howel Davies moved to Aberystwyth some time over the 10 years following 1881, while Louisa and her family had relocated to Bodhowel on Chester Road. The family now also included children Arthur, Hannah Melza, and Lily Dorothy. Howel and his half-brother Llewellyn were, by then, partners in Messrs. Davies Brothers. Howel was listed as a contractor builder. The company built schools and churches in Wrexham, including St Paul’s Church in Pentre Broughton. He designed Saint David’s Welsh church in Rhosddu Road. In the 1890s, the Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway connected Wrexham to the railway network, and Howel was a contractor. The railway opened in 1895. Howel Davies died on 11 March 1913, after a lifetime of building which culminated in the connection of Wrexham to the railway network. Original research undertaken by Annette Edwards.