John Thomas (born 1852) was a Welsh politician and trade unionist. Born in Coity, Thomas worked at a coal mine from an early age, and eventually became a hewer at the coal face. He was next elected as a checkweighman in Caerphilly, but decided to emigrate to the United States to find better-paid work. From the mid-1900s, Thomas lived in Tondu. He was a Baptist, and regularly attended the local church. He remained on the council for many years, spending some time as an alderman. From 1914, he also served as a magistrate.