They seek him here, they seek him there...

After searching for several days, I finally received a little breakthrough last night. I found a newspaper report for the death of John Gabe the builder [and I think architect] from Merthyr Tydfil who lived in Thomas Street near St. Tydfil's Workhouse/Infirmary.

Funeral reports can provide so much information about who people are, and sometimes, where they are living. I discovered that this John Gabe is definitely the father of Doctor John Bernard Gabe who left Merthyr for Swansea. John Gabe who passed away, is the brother of Rees Gabe the publican, so that makes him Doctor John Rees Gabe's uncle. [Dr. John Rees Gabe was one of the physicians who was first on the scene of the Mary Jane Kelly murder at Miller's Court.]

So I scanned the report for any further information, wondering if Doctor John Rees Gabe would have attended his uncle's funeral even though he was living in London at the time. And he did! The report mentions a Dr Gabe from London who was in the third carriage of the funeral procession. Also mentioned is Joseph Gabe from Cefn [not to be confused with the other Joseph Gabe from Llandeilo]. Joseph Gabe was listed on the 1881 Census as being Rees Gabe's son. I had suspected that maybe he was John Rees himself [as John Rees wasn't listed as they were about the same age.] As I've discovered that twins were born in 1853, I now wonder if John Rees and Joseph were twins.

To make it easier to read I've copied the transcript from the newspaper article here:

FUNERAL OF MR. JOHN CABE. On Monday afternoon the remains of the late Mr. John Gabe, builder, of Thomas-street, were conveyed to Cefn Cemetery. A large number of gentlemen of the town assembled at the house, and displayed the esteem in which they held the departed by walking before the procession. There were several private carriages and mourning coaches. The first was occupied by Dr. Gabe, from Morriston, son; Mr. Rees Gabe, Cefn; Mr. Joseph Gabe, Llandeilo, brothers; Mr. Percy Gabe, Barry, grandson. Second coach Mr. Bernard Colman, grandson; Mr. Frank Woodman, Mr. Heny Davies, son in law; and the Rev. Sinclair Evans. Third carriage Dr. Gabe, London; Mr. Rees Gabe, Treharris; Mr. Joseph Gabe, Cefn; Mr. Harry Gabe, Ystalyfera; Mr. Wm. James Thomas, Merthyr. The Rev. John Thomas, Zoar, officiated at the house and also at the chapel, along with the Rev. J. G. James, Market Square. The Rev. Jacob Jones, conducted the service at the graveside. The undertaker was Mr. Richard Lloyd, Georgetown. The widow, Mrs. John Gabe, and the family have received a vast number of letters of sympathy from various sources, for which they are extremely grateful. PULPIT REFERENCE. On Sunday morning, at Market-Square Chapel, the Rev. J. G. James referred to the death of Mr. John Gabe, and said Today it is our sad duty to be obliged to take note of the death of two more old Merthyr residents who have passed away during the past week, thus destroying by degrees those links that bind us to the Merthyr of the past with all its blessed and happy associations. The first is Mr. John Gabe, who for so many years bore an honoured name in our midst, a man of marked personality, he did good honest work in the town, and was associated for many years with the work of Welsh Congregationalism leaving behind him a family true to the interests of Nonconformity. Our prayers ought to ascend for his venerable partner who has been associated with his life for 58 years.

Extracted from Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo: 19th March, 1897