James Balfour Sneddon (1863-1949)

First name:
James
Middle name:
Balfour
Second name:
Sneddon
Date of birth:
1863
Date of death:
1949

sneddon.jpg

Oil industry career

  • Mining post with Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co. Ltd.
  • Mining manager with the Oakbank Oil Co. Ltd.
  • Mining agent (Western district) for Scottish Oils Ltd. (1930-37)


Mr James Balfour Sneddon, who is awarded the O.B.E., has been prominently identified with public work for at least forty years. He is a member of the Midlothian County Council and became a member of the Midlothian Education Authority on its inception in 1919. He has acted successively as vice-chairman and chairman of that body. By profession a mining engineer, he has been particularly interested in that branch of work in relation to education, and has acted as examiner in this connection. He is a former president of the Association of Mining Engineers and a Governor of Heriot-Watt College, Edinburgh.

The Scotsman, 3rd June 1935

.......

Mining Manager Retires - Mr James Balfour Sneddon, Mid Calder

After fully half a century's service in the Scottish oil industry, Mr J. Balfour Sneddon, Mid Calder, has retired. He started his mining career with Young's Oil Co. At West Calder, and was for many years mining manager to the Oakbank Oil Co. When the various oil companies were incorporated in Scottish Oils (Ltd.), he was appointed mining agent for the western group of shale and coal mines.

Mr Sneddon is a past president of the Scottish Institute of Mining Engineers. For many years he has served as a member of Midlothian County Council, and is chairman of the Education Committee. In 1935 he received the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his public services.

The Scotsman, 3rd April 1937

.......

The Late Mr J. Balfour Sneddon

The death occurred at his residence in Mid Calder on Saturday of Mr J. Balfour Sneddon, who had been identified with the public life of Midlothian for over 50 years. He was 86 years of age. Keenly interested in education, he had been associated with educational administration in the county since 1891, when he became a member of the Mid Calder School Board. He gave continuous service right through the education authority to the present education committee of which he was chairman. Mr Sneddon was senior member of Midlothian County Council and served with three county clerks. He was a Justice of the Peace for the county, chairman of the Licensing Appeal Court, a former president of the Association of Mining Engineers, and a governor of the Heriot-Watt College. In 1935 the O.B.E. was conferred upon him in recognition of his public service. By profession he was a mining engineer and was for many years a mining manager with the Oakbank Oil Co. When the various oil companies were incorporated in Scottish Oils Ltd., he continued as manager in part of the shalefield.

The Scotsman, 14th February 1949