JAMES STEELE

    EX-BAILIE STEELE is descended from the Steeles of Stane, lairds in Shotts Parish in the seventeenth century. He was born in the forties in the Parish of Currie, near Edinburgh, but early in life came to Glasgow, and was educated at St. James' Parish School, Buchanan's Academy, and Harrison's Commercial Academy. After serving an apprenticeship as a joiner in Glasgow and Edinburgh, he settled in business for himself in Glasgow at the age of 28. In 1888 he was elected to represent Pollokshields on Renfrewshire County Council, and three years later, when the district was annexed to Glasgow, he became a town councillor. He was chosen a magistrate in 1896, and a police judge subsequently, and he has been Convener and Sub-Convener of many committees, as well as Master of Works in 1906. He is also a Justice of the Peace. Though he has retired from business, he takes a strong interest in the public life of the city, and is a Director of the Western Infirmary, Hutchesons' Educational Trust, the Technical College, and Bellefield Sanatorium for Consumptives. He is also Chairman of the Abstainers' Union, Kilmun Seaside Homes, and the City and County House Purchase Company Limited. He was an elder of Greyfriars U.P. Church for 18 years, and Superintendent of its schools, and is now an elder in Pollokshields East U.F. Church and Superintendent of its Mission School in Kinning Park. He is also Chairman of the Foundry Boys' Society. Bailie Steele is married, and has had a family of ten, of whom nine survive.

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