James Steel (1830-1904)
Sit James Steel (1830-1904)
1904 Obituary [1]
SIR JAMES STEEL, Bart., a former Lord Provost of Edinburgh, died in that city on September 4, 1904. He was born in 1830, and was the son of the late Mr. James Steel, of Summerside Mains, Cambusnethan.
About thirty-eight years ago he began business in Edinburgh as a builder, and during his business career he was associated with the erection of some of the principal buildings in Edinburgh. In 1872 he entered the town council, and after serving as a magistrate for some years he was elected in 1900 Lord Provost. He held this office when, in 1903, the King made his first visit to Scotland after his Coronation, and it was on that occasion that his Majesty conferred a baronetcy upon him.
He was chairman of Niddrie and Benhar Coal Co., Ltd., large producers of coal and iron ore, and of the Broxburn Oil Co., Ltd., and vice-chairman of the National Insurance Co., Ltd.
He was elected a member of the Iron and Steel Institute in 1890.