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James Reilly

James Reilly

Born
1866-05-23 12:00:00
Died
1937-12-22 12:00:00
Gender
Male

James "Honest Jim" Reilly was born in County Meath in 1866 and immigrated to the US when he was 16.

After years as a blacksmith and farrier, he blindsided many in his town of North Pelham, New York when he was elected mayor in 1906. He was North Pelham, New York Village head 12 times and Deputy Sheriff for 25 years.  

In 1920 he "retired" from his blacksmith shop. "If automobiles hadn't become so fashionable," he said in 1936, "I'd be shoein' horses yet." Mr. Reilly ran for Mayor in 1931 and lost by 27 votes.

He and his mustache were well-known in North Pelham and beyond. 

Associated communities

Meath

County Meath, or An Mhí in Irish, is in the mid-east region of Ireland.  We are a county rich in heritage and home to The Hill of Tara.  Our county town is Navan and we have a population of approximately 184,000.  We look forward to helping you connect with your ancestors’ place of origin.

Other ancestors in this community

Buildings in this community

  • Ruins of Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Knockcommon Graveyard

    Location: Meath

    MF8V+RM Ballinlough, Windmill Road, County Meath, Ireland

  • Knockcommon National School

    Location: Meath

    Knockcommon, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland

  • Church Of The Nativity Of Our Lady, Rossnaree, Donore Catholic Parish

    Location: Meath

    Fieldstown, Beauparc, Co. Meath, C15 F726, Ireland

  • Slane Castle

    Location: Meath

    Slane, county Meath

Timeline events in this community

  • 1830s

    A Teltown Marriage

    <p>Irish historian John O'Donovan (1806-1861) who surveyed this district in the 1830s wrote of the 'Teltown Marriages':</p> <p>"A number of young men went into the hollow to the north side of the wall, and an equal number of marriageable young women to the south side of the wall which was so high as to prevent them from seeing the men; one of the women put her hand thro' the hole in the gate and a man took hold of it from the other side, being guided in his choice only by the appearance of the hand. The two were thus joined hands by blind chance were obliged to live together for a year and a day, at the expiration of which time they appeared at the Rath of Telton and if they were not satisfied with each other they obtained a deed of separation and were entitled to go to Laganeeny again to try their good fortune for the ensuing year."</p> <p>According to O’Donovan, this ceremony was performed at a place close to the Knockauns known as Lag an Aonaich or “Leganeeny” (the Hollow of the Fair).</p>

    1838-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1650s

    Civil Survey of Telletwon

    1654-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1830s

    Teltown aka Kilalton in the 1830s

    <p>From "A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" by Samuel Lewis</p>

    1837-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1830s

    Night of the Big Wind

    <p><a href="https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/night-of-the-big-wind-ireland-1839">https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/night-of-the-big-wind-irelan…</a></p>

    1839-01-06 12:00:00