James Neill (c1857-1930) of James Neill and Co
1930 Obituary [1]
JAMES NEILL died rather suddenly on August 17, 1930, at the age of seventy-three.
He started his business career as an accountant, and later became the managing director of a brewery; it was not until he was nearly thirty years old that he entered the steel trade by founding the firm of James Neill & Co., Ltd., Sheffield, of which he was the head at the time of his death. At first he leased crucible melting furnaces, and under his control the firm grew rapidly. He made a speciality of "steel-faced iron" which was largely used for machine knives. Gas-fired crucible furnaces, permanent magnets for magnetos, and safety-razor blades were other products of his firm.
He also engaged in civic life; he served on the Sheffield City Council, and was made a magistrate in 1928. He was Master Cutler in 1923; an important matter dealt with during his term of office was the misuse of the word" Sheffield" as a trade name by a firm in the U.S.A., against which firm successful action was taken.
He was a member of the Iron and Steel Institute of long standing, having joined in 1894.