1902. 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION. 



361 



DAVID MACI^EAN PARRV. 



DAVID Maclean parry, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, and 

 one of the first prominent manufacturers of the United States to take up the cause of 

 reclamation of arid lands, was born in Pennsylvania, March 26. 1S52, on a farm 16 miles 

 from Pittsburg. ISIr. Parry's father removed to a farm near Laurel, Franklin count}-, Indiana, 

 in 1853. Mr. Parry worked upon his father's farm until 17 years of age. His schooling was 

 secured during the winter months, though most of his education was received from his mother. 

 When 17 years of age young Parr}- secured a position as clerk in a general store at Columbus 

 City, Iowa. In 1S71 he was employed in a wholesale dry-goods hovise in New York city. Mr. 

 Parry returned to Connersville, Indiana, in 1873, where he engaged in the hardware business. 



In 1876 Mr. Parry's father became financially involved. The son, who had started a pros- 

 perous hardware business, showed his manhood when he sold the entire business and turned the 

 proceeds over to his father, relieving him of his financial difficulties. Mr. Parry secured a posi- 

 tion as traveling salesman, and in 1878 he purchased a small hardware- store in Rushville, 

 Indiana. Later he and his brother, T. H. Parry, started a small manufacturing establishment 

 in Rushville. This was eventually removed to Indianapolis, where it has been developed into 

 the largest biiggy manufacturing plant in the world. The number of employes has increased 

 from 20 to 2,000. 



Mr. Parry is what may be called a strictly self-made man. Without having enjoyed the 

 advantages given to many young men, he has made himself felt in the world, and has been 

 signally honored in a local and national business sense. He has been president of the Indian- 

 apolis Board of Trade, of the Indianapolis Commercial Club, of the National Carriage Builders' 

 Association, and other organizations. 



Mr. Parry became interested in the irrigation question several years ago, and he has steadily 

 given the movement his sincere and earnest support. He was strongly influential in getting 

 the National Association of Manufacturers to take up the subject officially and place itself on 

 record in annual convention in favor of a national irrigation law. 



