PARR, James, iron-master, born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 11 January, 1820; died in Alleghany, Pennsylvania, 21 April, 1883. He received a common-school education, and in 1837 began his business career. In 1862 he turned his attention to the manufacture of steel in Pittsburg, and his firm, Park, Brother and Co., was among the first to manufacture crucible east-steel in the United States. He was one of, the syndicate that purchased the patents of William Kelly, (q. v.), and so was interested in the introduction of the Bessemer process for converting iron into steel, becoming in 1866 a member of the Pneumatic steel association. In 1863 he was the first to introduce the Siemens gas-furnace into this country. He had a high reputation as a progressive leader among iron-masters, and was active in the American institute of mining engineers. Mr. Park showed great courage in July, l S77, in facing the rioters during the labor troubles of the year, and making an earnest appeal to them at the Union depot. He was a trustee of the University of western Pennsylvania, chairman of one of the first law and order associations in the United States, and a member of various religious and temperance bodies.